A Time-out and A Time Out !!

It is a lovely day here with a very blue sky and cooler breezes this morning and a promise of a couple days coming with temperatures only in the very pleasant 70's. Miss Lizzie Kitty and I are having a time-out here in the porch/Fl. room.  She is snoozing in a chair as we take a break from the hustle and bustle we allow life to be sometimes as things just get too busy.

As I sit and be still, I am joined by my sweet neighbor, Stacie who comes bearing gifts!  She is cleaning out and sorting and re-gifting things she knows she will never use.  As she finds them, she sets them aside for someone she knows who might like them...or as she says, " I thought of you" or " This looks like you". My gifts today are two lovely scarves. Thank you Stacie for your thoughtfulness but mostly, thank you for your friendship!

Today, the devotional I read each morning inspires me to tell the people I admire and love how much I appreciate how they have helped me, by themselves living good exemplary lives.  So many who I have looked up to have passed and how I wish I had spoken to them of how they inspired me to strive to be all that I could be.
The quote in the devotional today was from Joseph Chamberlin, "Some people are like mountains. You have to back away to see how big they are!"

But there are many younger than I who inspire me and who I hope I still have time to thank!

It does one's heart such good to hear from those we have inspired or made a difference to.  I treasure the notes from my long ago Sunday School students, Mary, Mitzy, Ella, Jenny and John. I get these notes out and read them now and again and remember them and those days fondly.

Our local newspaper did an article recently about a wonderful lady who has devoted a lot of her life to volunteering and serving those in need.  At the end of the article, which included an interview, she said, "Every time we hug someone who is lonely or different or kiss someone who won't be here tomorrow or provide a necessary item to one in need, it makes everything we do worthwhile."  Linda Watts 
This is the true Spirit of Christmas, this season and always.  Are we not here to love and serve one another?

Once again we have held our Sunshine Village Christmas For Our Kids Cake Auction !  It is a fundraiser for the party and gift giving to benefit local, less fortunate little children, this year there are 44 and our Elves went shopping yesterday for presents of clothing and toys.  Thursday is gift wrapping day and we the 'helpers of the shopping Elves' will help with that.  We will come armed with scissors, tape and wrapping paper to work away the morning making pretty packages.  The cake  eaters did their part and very generously too, as they bid the cakes right up and paid well for lovely and very yummy homemade creations.  The auction took in $782.00 !

My "Piggies in a mud tub" cake

More of the cakes 

Tomorrow its Time Out !    We are off for a day out. I will go with 4 friends on our annual little pre-Christmas outing to look at all the sights and lights of Mt. Dora and enjoy a nice lunch at our favorite "girly" restaurant",   The Garden Gate.   Then we'll browse around in a couple of really great Thrift Shops looking for a special bargain.  And best of all, enjoy the joy of friendship.   

Enjoy this magical season of peace and joy.