Snowing in Dixie: On Christmas!!!!

So it was 60 something degrees 3 days ago. Today we had snow on Christmas!!!! What a treat!! (mute music at bottom of page before playing video).

Large flakes start to stick at noon. Suprise video mode.

Still snowing at 3pm. Luckily I figured out the video mode.

Lots of snow east of town.

Sorry it's tilted. I didn't know it was on video mode. Still figuring this thing out.

60s and Sunny: A Saving Christmas

It's amazing what it can take to put you back in the spirit. I mean the "right" spirit of Christmas. What is the trun meaning of Christmas and how it saves us? Christ came into this world as a child without a care in the world. Not to do lists, need to buy lists, what to bake or make lists. Those cares have cluttered the real meaning of Christmas for me every now and then. It takes a few minutes on a sunny December day in Alabama with 60 degree temps to make me slow down and really meditate on what matters. Being with family, friends and loved ones and knowing that Christ has saved me from my sins saves me this holiday season from the hustle and bustle of getting stuff done, shopping and traffic chaos that Christmas can sometimes bring about.

Don't you just love getting the chance to sit and savor the season?! Ah, the rocking chair, the patio and Tocca!

P.S. Now it really would be peace on earth...or at least in my backyard...if those two turtle doves would stop hogging the feeder and share with the cute little finches and the brightest cardinal I've seen in a while. Adam I think I'll name him....Adam.

P.S.S. I have also saved my berry decorations by using dark red nail polish to hide the styrofoam spots! Ingenious, I know.

HE never fails

It never fails. Just when....

Just when I get out for break, early at that,
I hit shopping traffic on the way home.

Just when I decide to host folks in my house,
it never fails that I have a lack of motivation to clean.

Just when I decide to give Adam's truck a spin,
it never fails that something goes wrong (the battery died this time).

Just when I remove Levon's dog bone from the garden,
does he go in looking for it only to tear up the tomato posts.
And just after I get the truck fixed,
does he jump in the front seat instead of the back.

Just when I have the motivation again to clean the inside,
do I have to work on the outside of the house instead.

Just when I've had some good days and am going strong,
it never fails that I lose strength and shed a tear, or a few.

Just when I think I'm alone and have decided it's not all about "I,"
it never fails that God decides to show up somewhere.

He never fails me. I just have to get away from all the "I's" to realize it.

....more than Mac N Cheese

Some nights I just want a little more. A little more than microwave Mac N Cheese. OKay, so I sometimes have two bowls for dinner. I don't know if this is a good thing to be able to eat what I want when I want or not. Then it's definately a double-edge sword. Homemade potato soup, sweet potato casserole, fresh turnip greens with tomatoes, and an amended Chicken Tetrazini recipe have stirred my creativity and desire for cooking. As hearty, healthy and appetizing as these sound, they are not as easy to make. Some are. But sometimes, I really just want Mac N Cheese. Anyone else feel this way?

In over my head in greens.

The finished product.

Happy Thanksgiving

Below is a poem that our assistant principal sent out. I think it's a great way to remember and give thanks for all our many blessings this time of year.


A Thanksgiving Poem

Thank You Lord for this Thanksgiving Day. I have a few words I have to say.
Thank You for breath to live,
for the Holy Spirit to give,
For eyes to see,
for the strength to be free,
For ears to hear,
for words that appear,
For a mouth to speak,
and knowledge to seek.
For my hands to act,
for my feet on track.
For my heart to love,
for gifts given from above,
For my mind to do Your Will,
for my soul to be still.
For my body to live,
for actions to give,
For all my remaining days,
to sing Your praise.

For the birds and the bees,
for being on my knees,
For colorful butterflies,
for the joys and the sighs,
For trees dressed in green,
for a world to be seen,
For mountains so high,
for the clear blue sky
For oceans so deep,
for on beaches to sleep.
For Your Animal Kingdom,
My thanks from within.
For a house and a bed,
warmth, light and bread.
For music and sound
My thanks are profound.
For vision and sight,
And the glorious night
For weather so pleasant,
For angels - heaven-sent
For the sun that shines,
for the jewels that are mine.
For family and friends,
for love that never ends
For life everlasting,
in Your Love I am basking
For the language of prayer,
for always being There.
For the miracle of creation,
For free gift of salvation.
Thank You for You Lord,
Your love is my reward.

- Mary A. Shovlin

"That's Why."

"I hate this."

"I can't do it."

"Why me, why us, why now?"

As I fight the tears of my 1/2 bad Tuesday, I literally see and hear the answer. Thank you God!

....I used to LOVE Tuesdays. I'd brag about how that was my favorite day of the week for the longest time. For some reason, I've always had Bible studies, small groups, just something going on that day that just put me in the best mood or I'd look forward to it for whatever reason. Since Adam's deployment, Tuesdays have been my emotional days. Odd-I know. Today was no exception.....

The wind gusted outside like no other. Thank you God! As I leaned up from reclining on the couch, I peered through my watery eyes and to the foyer and out the small front door windows to see our hanging American flag flapping vigorously in the wind. Usually it blows the other way towards the window, but not tonight. I see it now-still flying high all 50 stars and 13 stripes.

"You can do this."

"I can do this."

"For freedom."

"Be free in Me."

"I love you."

"He loves you."

....and "That's why!"

"Blessed is the Nation whose GOD is LORD...." Psalm 33:12

I have a crush on.....

So, do you remember having crushes on who you thought was soooo cute way back when in middle school and high school, oh and even as early as 4th grade? Oh, the good 'ole days when you could just look and dream, wonder and awe. Nothing they did was ever wrong and you always thought you'd end up with them. Oh, you just KNEW you'd end up with them....until....bam....life hit. Life of another deciding to like them before they asked you out, life of them never noticing you, life of the dreadful horrible no good really bad hair days.

Well, life hits and I now have a crush again as I am now in my nearing-30 season of life. Deployment is life and it hits strong. Some days I feel as though I have a crush again, on my husband. Other days, I feel as though I have a crush on a permanent pen pal that I know I will end up with, and that I know has NEVER done anything wrong. hehe. I look in awe and wonder into an oblivion, in my dreams, while walking down the halls at work, while in the middle of a yoga pose and most definitely while driving. It can be numbing. Mind-manipulating and even soul-quieting.

But what I do KNOW is that this too shall pass. I am in love with my crush, my sailor, my Adam.