Reflections of Christmas 2008

What an exciting time! Family. Food. Bacon.



Giving.

Toe Socks for Mom.

Colgate for Dad.

Receiving.






(A special thanks to Mayron and Marcie of Unique Unique Design for playing Santa with my family. I can't wait to get Thunder Thighs!)

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Jason Castro.

Mother and Son Shotguns.



Games.



Posing, pictures and laughs.







And Love. Love was abundant. I hope that you and yours had a wonderfully, blessed, Merry Christmas.

~Mindy

Christmas Memories - New and Old

My Mom and Dad had a house built when they got married. That house, where they still live by the way, has no fireplace. My Mom didn't want to clean soot and deal with ash, so she skipped on the fireplace option. (Now that I'm older, I believe this was a form of child abuse, but that's another blog.)

Since it's common knowledge that Santa comes down the chimney, every year, we had to build a cardboard fireplace to facilitate Santa's entrance. I have no idea where one buys a cardboard fireplace (maybe Sears and Roebuck). But, we had one. We'd pull it out of it's cardboard box, and we'd build it, following the directions carefully. We hung the stockings on the chimney with care, with a stick pin. The cardboard fireplace had red brick, white mortar with a black shelf on top. It stood about 4' tall and was 3 or 4 foot wide. In it were orange paper flames with an orange light bulb behind to similate a nice cozy fire. A little metal spinner sat on top of the orange bulb and as the heat was generated, the spinner spun and the flames appeared to flicker.

I shared this story with David and his mother earlier in the month and they found it entertaining. David knew that it was a special memory.

Last week, I paid a visit to David's house and he held his hands over my eyes and led me to his living room. When he let me look and see, I saw a brand new cardboard fireplace! Ahhhh! He said it is mine to keep. See the picture? That's my fireplace!

And with that, new memories are being made with old memories.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Much Love,

Mindy

Through a Child's Eyes

Today, I share with you an email that was forwarded to me by David. I don't intend to make a habit of such, but the message is worthy of sharing:


Through a Child's Eyes (Author Unknown)
God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our redemption and the love of our Savior.

Every year we attend a local church pageant at Christmas time, which tells the story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing in their costumes and makeup. Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in my heart.

It was the year we took our then three-year-old granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if she were a player. She watches as Joseph and Mary travel to the Inn and is thrilled when she sees the baby Jesus in His mother's arms.

When Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every fiber of her being. She alternated between screaming his name and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!" I thought she might actually pass out. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Jesus through the eyes of a child in love with Him, seeing Him for the first time. How like the blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!", afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. (Mark 10:46-52) This was so much fun.

Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed. "Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just pretending." "They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!" She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!". Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him.

In a most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross down the steps of the auditorium from the back They were yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and beaten. Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it," she screamed. She must have been wondering why all these people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream. "Jesus, Oh, Jesus!"

People all around us began to weep as we all watch this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and killed as those first century disciples had. Going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK. Jesus is going to be OK. These are just people pretending to be soldiers. She looked at me like I was crazy.

In my lap, we talked through the cross and burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!" The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone rolled away. A Super Bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus! He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!" I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event, but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall never forget seeing Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection through the eyes of an innocent child.

Following the pageant the actors all assembled in the foyer to be greeted by the audience. As we passed by some of the soldiers Bailey screamed out, "Bad soldier, don't you hurt Jesus." The actor who portrayed Jesus was some distance away surrounded by well-wishers and friends. Bailey broke away from us and ran toward him, wrapping herself around his legs, holding on for dear life. He hugged her and said, "Jesus loves you." He patted her to go away. She wouldn't let go. She kept clinging to Him, laughing and calling His name. She wasn't about to let go of her Jesus.

I think God in heaven stopped whatever was going on that day and made all the angels watch Bailey. "Now, look there! You see what I meant when I said, 'Of such is the kingdom of heaven?'" Bailey's reaction should be our reaction every day. When we think of Him, who He is, what He did for us, and what He offers us, we have to say, how can we do anything less than worship Him?


Ahhh...to see Christ through the eyes of a child. God bless you and yours this Christmas.

In attempting to give credit to the author, I found it several times in a google search, but, am unable to ascertain the original writer. The message is one that I'm sure they will not mind being shared.

~Mindy

Family Christmas

Ahhh...I made it! My house made it. David helped me pull it all together and he took all of these photos to prove it! The family gathering this Sunday was a wonderful time!

The day was very cold and perfect for hugs and the warmth that family brings.

Always ready to mug for the camera!

More hugs.

We're a hugging kind of family!

Christmas through the eyes of a child is always fun for everyone!

The gift exchange.

My sister "stole" these footed jammies and then put them on. After a run to a room without windows, it was discovered that the spaceships and stars did NOT glow in the dark, as claimed!
David snapped a good one of Mom.

The capture of pure joy is always a good thing. I love this pic of Dad laughing.

Serious man talk.

Serious woman talk.

Posers.
Sisters.

The oldest and youngest bonded.

Silent Night.

David hung these photos and the apron the night before the party. The old black and white photos of the family were a hit.

We know how to eat! Three different cornbreads, 3 chilis, tamales, queso, Mexican Fudge, carrot cake, pecan pie.

One thing is certain...

We did not eat like birds!

A Merry Christmas to you and your family.

All photos are courtesy of Snakelover.

Easily Distracted

After my morning shower, it was time to get down to business. You know that family party is Sunday at my house and my bedroom/bathroom/dressing area are not fit for human use.

I saw jewelry on the bathroom counter that needed to be put up in my dressing area. My dressing area had clean laundry where the jewelry needed to go. The clean laundry needed to be put up in the closet. The closet floor was so full, I had to pile up some dirty laundry and take it to the washing machine in the garage. The outdoor cats were in the garage letting me know they needed to be fed. Back in the kitchen, I got my bottled water and energy powder and decided I should fill up the small pond in the back. I went out there and realized I needed to net leaves out of the bottom of the pond. Ants found me and started biting my right leg.

The septic guy was there emptying my septic. He found me in the backyard and said "Come look at this". The things that can race through a girl's mind when a man is cleaning out her poop..... He showed me roots and told me how to rid the tanks of them. Whew! No poop talk.

I went back inside and saw my bottled water by the back door. I mixed it up with energy powder and headed back out to clean the leaves out of the pond. I put the hose in the pond and started that filling. I went back in and saw cat barf in the den. Grabbed the vacuum and spread the wet barf into the carpet, necessitating the use of the carpet extractor.

I needed to take the curtains down out of the kitchen. Needed to dust the fan blades by the curtains in the kitchen. Took the curtains down. Vacuumed the windows. Wrote "dust fan blades" on a list.

Pushed laundry. Paid the septic guy. Grabbed some lunch. Turned the water off, the pond was full. Moved floor decor box from guest room. Vacuumed the guest room. Added more things to the list of things to do before Sunday. Put the chickens in the pen. Went to the bathroom to brush my teeth before work and guess what I saw! That jewelry was still there, on the counter top, waiting to be put away.

Ha! Ever have one of those days?

My bedroom/bathroom/dressing area are still not fit for human use. I know what I'll be doing tomorrow.

As an after thought, lest you think I'm distressed, I am not. You should know that I enjoyed doing everything I did today (except the ant thing)...as my sister says, I am easily distracted.

She is an Angel

Thrift store angel. Isn't she beautiful? She's cast iron and absolutely angelic!

When I took her to the register, the lady said they had just put her out. Wasn't I the lucky thrift store shopper?

I haven't found a home for her yet, but I'm sure she'll add charm wherever she lands.

Happy Day!

Christmas Guest Bedroom and other stuff

My guest bedroom. While I'm not expecting any overnight guests, if you want to visit Poetry, we can shove these things on the floor and you can chill in here.

Jan at Summer Sundays suggested that we Mary-fy the pregnant mannequin. So, LucyJane took this task to heart and look. Toga! Toga! I mean, Mary! Mary!

Looks good, huh?

If Grandma Joy's teeth threw ya, this fine silver dish with strands of pearls, Uncle Otis' black bow tie and random glass eyes will really getcha!

When the family comes over Sunday, I promise you, many a picture will be taken with these things jammed into eye sockets. We're funny like that, my family.

And this last pic is for Margo. She requested a close up of this piece which hangs in my den. So, here it is. I did not do this. I don't do this kind of thing. I appreciate it.

I said last pic...but, I can't resist. Here's my cousin Ronda working the glass eyes.

Happy Day!

My Christmas Guest Bath

I will have about 20 guests in my home this Sunday for a family Christmas gathering.

And won't everyone be entertained by the bathtub deco? I'm not sure if I had too much time on my hands or if I just can't shut down the creative juices! Above is the first attempt.

And here is the second. I think I like this last attempt best. The white shelf has my Dad's father's shaving brushes. The bottom shelf displays my Mom's dad's shoe shine goods. If you look close enough at the top shelf, you will see the mason jar with Grandma Joy's other teeth.
I took some old ticking fabric and literally wrapped it around the existing shower curtain...then tied the middle with a red ribbon and bells.

Did it occur to you to decorate your guest bathtub?


~Mindy

My Christmas Den

Look what got done this weekend. The floor decor is no longer floor decor. David, my wonder boyfriend, came over and helped Saturday and my favorite sister, LucyJane, came over Sunday. Between all of us, decorations found homes and boxes found their way back to the garage. Whew!

Are you aware that you can click on any picture and it will "go big"?
Looking at the big picture, I think I'll remove the mirror from the back/bottom right shelf. It seems distracting.

Did you see the maternity mannequin, top left? I put a blingy necklace on her. LucyJane thought I should drape her like Mary, great with child, for the season. Isn't she funny?

The black and white photo of the lady is my great grandmother. Resting on top of the opened books is a pair of glasses. The glasses are the same ones she is wearing in the picture. Cool, huh? The shoes on the middle shelf are David's mom's. I bet she had no clue I'd use her shoes in a display! Aren't they great?
Here's a big picture of the den without floor decor. Here's the corner of my office. This Christmas tree has small vintage balls all over it that David placed. Notice, hooks would have had the balls hanging too low, so, he removed the wire from each ornament and then, after placing the wire over the tree "branch", he replaced it. Follow? A lot of work. He loves me!

The wreath bears my grandmother's old broaches and earrings. She did like her bling! Ooops! I needed to move the extension cord in this next picture! Oh, well. A little vignette I set up behind my sofa. I'm not sure that my work here is done. But, the idea has started. I'll post more pics as things evolve. But, I think the den may be finished. Whew! Whatcha think?

Christmas Tree Corner

I just couldn't talk myself into buying a 9 foot, $120 Concolor Tree this year, as has been my tradition for the last 4 years. Instead, I decided to use a tree that I already had. Aren't I thrifty? I bought the angel from Judy Hill. The brillo pad looking balls on the tree, as well as the silvers and golds in the aquarium, are from Goodwill. The silver and gold "skirts" are, indeed, skirts. Uh huh - Goodwill, again. I know. I need to iron the gunmetal skirt. I'll get to it. The screen, I pulled from the store. Everything else is from around the house.

Check out the uplighting in the aquarium.

Believe it or not, David (Snakelover) and I spent close to 4 hours working on this area. Seriously! The man is gifted. He is patient. He has a really good eye. He is a closet decorator/designer. I love him for so many other reasons. But, this closet designer/decorator thing is an Extra Special, Boyfriend Bonus!

Now, I must get back to work on the rest of my house. Remember my post "Floor Decor"? Well, I am still attempting to remedy that situation.

More pics of the house coming up this week. Question. Reckon I should tinsel the tree?

~Mindy

A Different Christmas Tree

What I like about antiquing/junking my way, is that I find some of the coolest creations and then, without altering a thing, I can pass them along to others.

I fell in love with these trees when I saw them. I think they are made from an old mattress or sofa.

I imagine someone could cover the entire tree in balls. Maybe spray paint it white or black or green. Drape tinsel garland around it.

I, personally, like it the way it is, the tree. What would you do to it?

By the way, I have 3 of these trees left, and they are for sale at Primitiques for $15 each. Come and get 'em! The old window screens are extra.

Happy Friday!

Little Things and Rooster vs Skunk

I know. I'm due for my daily blog. I just can't think of anything incredibly inspirational. So, first, I will share with you one of my old posts that I like. Here.

Check out Deena's site. She is with us and still making memories with her family. Love is a wonderful thing and she is surrounded by it!

And now, I have to share this. My sister, LucyJane, just called me to share this...she peruses this forum for entertainment and for chicken tips. This post had her rolling. And apparently, everyone else! Lots of laughs and good writing. If you have time, read all the responses. The original writer comes back and tells more stories that are funny, as well. Who knew roosters could be so entertaining? And who knew that roosters could faint???
Happy Thursday!
~Mindy