Christmas Kitties

Some friends of ours will be out of town just after Christmas, and they've asked Anna to come feed and tend to their cats.
Here's Ferguson. Isn't he lovely? He looks like he's waiting for Santa!
Here's Murray. He's quite a tub, but snuggly and sweet.
Kitty #3 is Franklin, part Maine Coon Cat. He's more stand-offish, and I did not get a good picture of him, just a furry blur!

Sandy loves to snooze on her little rug in the sun.
Yesterday was a banner day for vehicle ownership in our family. We got rid of both the Volvo, which we'd had for over 17 years, and the Jaguar, which never did run. It was a hopeful hobby for Adam that never did materialize, for lack of cash. Adam couldn't sell them, and couldn't even get the junk yard to take them, unless the tires and gas tanks were removed first! Finally he called the PBS Car Talk Show, and donated the cars there. The came and hauled them away.
Rather sad, but necessary. Now we're down to ONLY 2 vehicles, thankfully. Before we move, we will trim down to only the van, and I'll be greatly relieved.

A bit of family fun

Monday, Funday! What did we do? Slept late (esp. the kids). Ate Barb's melt-in-your-mouth lemony poppy seed bread. Adam & I went to eat Mexican for lunch b/c we had a GREAT coupon (lunch for 2 for 8 bucks!). Adam organized Angel Tree gifts and deliveries, which puts you in the right spirit. Played Christmas music all day. Grocery shopping, hamburger cooking. Adam & Anna went shopping at Belk, and returned with LARGE gifts and tales of sales. They were wrapped and tucked under the tree. Julia and I watched "The Secret of Roan Inish." Such a delightful Irish story! Definite chicklet flick material. Philip says I may watch it at my house with his little daughters someday, but I may NOT, under ANY circumstances, SEND IT HOME WITH THEM. HAHA!

On to pictures. Sandy is a laid-back dog. She and Julia are best buds, and that puppy really relaxes with her!
Adam stopped at the Dollar Tree and got Sandy some doggy decor. Voila -- the Christmas
collar!
The Christmas hat!
Two fellas sitting on the couch. (I have NO idea what Anna is up to!) When Philip lived here in high school, he spent much of his time in his room. Now that he's in college, when he's home he spends most of his time upstairs with us. So sweet! Last night, the 3 menfolk watched a movie together -- "Blazing Saddles." We got our chick flick; they got their man movie :)

A festive feel --

Christmas week has begun! I thought a little festive change was appropriate for my blog :) And we've received plenty of Christmas cheer in our home this weekend too -- Look at the goodies that have arrived! A fruit basket, a tin full of home-baked yummies, candy canes, hot chocolate mix, cookies galore, breakfast bread. I'm stuffed just thinking about it!
20 years ago, when Adam and I celebrated our first Christmas together, he gave me this adorable ornament - Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. Philip's arrival was still a year away, but here we are "Mom and Dad."
I hang the Beavers each year on this little wooden tree, along with these selected ornaments. A dear friend's husband made this tree for me, years ago -- she and I sang in a wonderful group together in Jackson, Mississippi.
And you can never have too many pictures of Christmas trees, right?
This ornament was made by my brother Max, who did pottery for many years. It's made of clay, fired, and brilliant. I love it.

A season of contrasts

Bright red bows with frozen ice on them. A crackling fire within; a blowing blizzard without. The Son of God, in a sheep trough.
Many of us on the East Coast are experiencing an early snow "event" this year; it's taken us rather by surprise. I was struck, when viewing a friend's blog, of the contrast intrinsic in this season. Warmth of Christmas. Cold of weather. Is it any wonder that we search for greenery in the frozen winter? We dwell on these contrasts.
How many of us note that we enjoy the snow THROUGH the window, our hands wrapped around a steaming cup, our eyes fixed on an icy ledge?
The cold out there reminds us of how much we have to be thankful for, in our warm homes.
The darkness in the world reminds us how much we have to be thankful for, in our Savior.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

Now, these are only preliminary pictures, mind you. The snow started after lunch today, and will become heavier tonight. We are likely to get 4-8 inches total. Here's a shot of our backyard, early on.
The kids didn't waste time getting out there! Julia got a sled out, and Sandy was more than happy to be her partner in fun.

This is merely an informational shot. I wanted ALL of you out there to be informed of HOW KIDS AND TEENS WATCH MOVIES THESE DAYS. The laptop on the chair is Philip's. He'd loaded "The Emperor's New Groove" on it. Meanwhile, Peter is also messing around on his laptop, WHILE he's also watching the movie. Who needs a TV these days?
Philip and Julia. I cannot tell you how much this little girl adores her big brother. She will stick to him like glue for at least a week.

The Christmas Cheer Is Flowing!

We had a very Christmasy day today! After slogging through our last true day of academic work, Adam and I and the girls went to a local nursing home (again) with their ballet group. Their wonderful teacher (who reads Scripture with them and prays at each practice, and only chooses Christian music! I'm so thankful for her!) had music sheets ready, and reindeer antlers and red shirts.
The girls sang to the residents.
They also handed out Christmas cards that we made/decorated on Tuesday, and gave out suckers. It was a sweet time of ministry, so good for the children, and such a blessing for others.
We turned right around, came home and cooked, and headed over to some friends' home for a Christmas dinner with our Bible study group. Our hostess, Dot, has done a phenomenal job decorating her house for the holidays! I mean, seriously, you should SEE all her trees, ceramic statues, wreaths and decorations. We enjoyed a pork loin dinner with all the fixin's. Here is her lovely dining room:
We love these dear people, and our group of 8 have had many happy evenings sitting around God's Word, studying what it says about our FAVORITE topic: heaven! Well, this was one "heavenly" meal!

Now, Adam has driven off into the dark night to collect Philip from college. He'll be meeting him only about 2 hours away; Philip got a ride part of the way. It will be a VERY late night for them, but we'll be glad to have him home for the holidays.

More ornaments? Sure!

Here are a few more:

This beautiful, hand-decorated ball was given to me by my sister-in-law, Faith. She made it the first year she was married to Mark, and I think that's been about 13 years ago. It is elegant and feminine, just like her!
This very special gold ornament was a gift many years ago from my dear cousin, Tammy. The date on it says "1978." I think it may be about my oldest ornament.
This sweet angel with her pink bow hair is very precious to me. When we lived in Mississippi, our pastor's wife, Amy, made angel ornaments every year and gave one to each family in the church. I know it was a labor of love, and I have treasured them. We moved from Mississippi after a few years, and a few years later, Amy died of cancer. I remember her when I see her angels each year.
I have quite a few of these lacey snowflakes. Adam's grandmother gave them to me early in our marriage. The girls chose to put some on the tree this year.
This angel was also made by a friend in Mississippi named Vickie. I haven't heard from her for many years, but I'll always enjoy this sweet angel, made from a cotton boll!