I had a lovely lunch with my grandkids yesterday!! Pat and Cheryl went out and about with their kids and aren't back yet. I think they were going to Crystal Springs to see manatees. I'll be excited to hear about it when they return. They are going to church with the kids today but want to come with me next Sunday!! I will post photos for Monday's Weekend Recap and leave you with this blessing for today (and into the New Year!)...
Peace & Hugs!!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
Crazy Sam gives us the questions! Thanks, Sam! Y'all can join in HERE!
I have a few photos from Christmas to share. I didn't take many but want to document the holiday with a few.
Tammy (my youngest sister) went to church with me Sunday morning and we returned for the Christmas Eve candlelight service. It was beautiful and this picture doesn't do it justice. We sang lots of Christmas hymns which is always fun and meaningful.
I was looking through the saved fashion photos, searching for a New Year's Eve gown. This one looks kinda classy and could be worn to a fancy new year's eve event. Count down on the purses, 1-2-3, and tell us which ones you like best for the dress. It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!
Update: My sister left yesterday morning and arrived home safely mid-afternoon (praise God!). We had a great time and a lovely Christmas. I went to work in the morning and spent the afternoon at home, putting Christmas decorations away.
Today, when I get home, I will clean the house. Blogging (and in person) friend, Cheryl (Sunlit Pathways) and her hubby will be arriving at Hotel D'Orsaneo (winking) tomorrow. They will be bunking here until January 8th so they can visit with their oldest (Justin) and his family who now live in Lakeland. Daughter Michelle and grandson Oliver are coming with them (and the new puppy). Michelle, Oliver, and puppy will be staying with Justin and family. I hope I can join the fun once or twice while they are here. They are a beautiful family!!
I will post a few photos from Christmas tomorrow. I have so many blogs to catch up on. I will be reading, even if I don't leave a comment. I've missed you all. The new year is fast approaching!! Peace and hugs!!
Christmas is upon us!
I wish each of you and your dear ones a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the new year!!
Advent Theme: Kingdom What a fearful night it must have been, when the Destroyer passed through the city streets of Egypt, taking the life of the first born but passing over every house where the blood of a lamb was shed and displayed. In this ultimate act of terrible triumph, the Father delivered his people and asserted himself as the only ruler of his people. On this last Sunday of Advent, we hail the King and pledge allegiance to his kingdom. Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation,” (Col. 1:15) the promised Son of David, who alone reigns on his Father’s throne. And yet, in beautiful mystery and wonder, Jesus claims his rightful place by becoming the final Passover Lamb. With the thousands of thousands we proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
I was looking for red or green and found this sweet gown. It's holiday party time. Count down on the shoes 1-2-3 and tell us which ones you like best for the dress. It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!
Thanks to Joyce for today's Hodgepodge!! Y'all can be a Hodgepodger by clicking HERE!
3. What's an activity you won't try, an event you won't attend, or an athletic challenge you won't take part in not even for 'all the tea in China'? I don't do anything athletic anymore so no to any athletic challenge. I don't attend many events anymore because I don't like the crowds. The last "crowd" I was in (Disney) sent me home with covid. I won't try base-jumping or rock climbing, for sure! Remember that!! LOL
4. What's something most people seem to love but is not 'your cup of tea'? Playing games. Card games, board games... I will play but if I never played another game of any kind, I wouldn't miss it. I enjoy it when I do and like the camaraderie but I really don't care about the game.
5. How does your family celebrate New Year's Eve? In the old days, Mom and Dad would host my aunt and uncle and cousins. Speaking of games, Monopoly was always played by us kids. We listened to Guy Lombardo and watched the ball drop. These later years... maybe I will watch the ball drop and maybe I won't. Depends when the yawns start and how loud my bed is calling. I miss Guy Lombardo!! LOL
6. Insert your own random thought here. Eggnog. My heart got all fluttery in Publix the other day when I saw the eggnog in with the milk and creamers. Joe dearly loved eggnog and drank it (plain with no alcohol!!) non-stop during the holidays, from the first time we saw it in the store. I can't stand the stuff but he could make a half-gallon disappear in two or three days. I almost bought some just to have it in the fridge. One of those silly things that happen now and then. Some of you know what I mean. Sigh. I'm okay and don't mean to be a downer. That is just the random thought I had. Time stood still for a few seconds. It still happens. Almost three years. How can that be?!
Thanks to Annie for today's questions! You can join in HERE!
Hi there. It's time for another of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4...
Christmas is next week...Let's talk a bit about it, okay?
1. Are you excited for Christmas to come? Yes, I am!! This year may be the best one I've had since my sweet Joe died (Feb. 2021).
2. What do you look forward to on Christmas? My sister, Tammy, is coming. Helen's niece Cheryl will join us again this year and my neighbors are also joining us!! Anne and Paul usually go to their daughter's in New York but are staying here this year. Duane and Marlene usually go back to Wisconsin for Christmas but are staying here this year. Dee and Bill have just been here a year plus a little and they aren't going to family either so there will be nine around my table and I love that!! I call them my chosen family!
3. What will Christmas Eve find you doing? Christmas Eve day is Sunday, so we will go to church. My church is having a candlelight service at 5:30 Christmas Eve. After that we might have Chinese for dinner. That was a tradition Joe and I had. Tammy and I will probably open our gifts to each other. That's what we did last year. Lots to prepare for on Christmas morning. We are gathering at 2:30.
4. What will be on the menu for Christmas? I am doing the ham, au gratin potatoes, deviled eggs, a pickle plate, a red velvet cake, and the rolls. Cheryl is bringing a pecan pie. Anne is bringing an appetizer plate and sweet potatoes. Dee is bringing a salad and ice (my ice maker doesn't work!). Marlene is bringing a green vegetable. I think we will have plenty! I have plans to bake some cookies this year so there will be cookies, too.
Since Christmas will come before the next Tuesday 4, I (Annie) wish you a blessed and very merry Christmas. Annie, I wish the same to you and yours!! Merry Christmas!
Rain, wind, rain, wind, more rain, some wind, then even more rain....
The sun didn't shine again until nearly 4:00 p.m. yesterday. We are not used to gray days and relentless rain. Goodness, it's been wet here!!
I canceled my hair appointment for Saturday morning because I didn't want to go out in that mess. I got my cleaning done instead. I also made my corn casserole and went to Mas Verde's Christmas potluck party Saturday evening. I sat with Tim and Judy, Jim and Joan, and a few others. There were over 150 people. The HOA provided turkey and ham, mashed potatoes, dressing, and gravy. We all brought a dish to share and the tables were heavy with the bounty.
All of the tables had a little Christmas tree in the center for decorations. They were all a bit different. This one was on our table... It was decorated with shells.
Sunday school and church and my usual laundry yesterday. After church, I went to Sonny's BBQ for my free birthday dinner. Sonny's gives a sandwich, a side, and a beverage for your birthday! Most places offer an appetizer or a dessert with the purchase of a meal. Sonny's gives you an entire meal!! Sign up for it if you have a Sonny's near you!
I'm working two full days, today and tomorrow, so I can have Christmas day and the 26th off. My sister arrives this week (not sure which day yet). My cleaning is done, my packages are wrapped and I think I'm ready!! Let's get this week started!!
Week Three: December 17-23 Advent Theme: Law Before Moses came down from the mountain of fire and smoke with the 10 Commandments, the Law of god, Israel saw the power and authority of God plainly in the devastating plagues against the people and the gods of Egypt. It was a clear declaration that Israel’s God was the One True God. On this third Sunday of Advent, we light a candle to honor the law of God. In the law, the Father expresses his heart of righteousness and his holy authority to rule. The Apostle Paul writes that Jesus Christ “being born in the likeness of men… humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even on a cross.” In his life, Jesus perfectly embodies the heart of the Father and fulfills the law, and in his death and resurrection, he triumphs over death and now reigns as the One True God and Savior of all.
Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions. You can join in HERE!
Saturday 9: The Christmas Blues (1953)
I only have one new photo for today's post. One of my small group members (from church) is a retired art teacher. She asked me if I would like one of her older paintings for my birthday. That was a "duh" question! Of course!! She does a lot of folk artsy things and this one is so fun!!
I love it and it is hanging in my living room proudly adding a fun pop of color to the room! And, of course, it is cats!!
I kicked my Christmas preparations into high gear. My cards are finally done and in the mail. The little bit of shopping I had to do is done. Amazon is delivering stuff daily this week. I'm waiting to do major cleaning until closer to time. I need to go to Sam's Club and Publix but am putting it off until next week. Of course, everyone is probably doing the same thing so it will be a zoo out there, but let's be jolly!!
I don't think I mentioned that I got a title change and an increase in pay at work! I am now a Staff Assistant rather than an Administrative Secretary. What I do is not secretarial, so staff assistant makes a lot more sense. The extra jingle in the pay check will be nice, as well. It's not much more but every little bit helps!
A fun vintage (1950s?) holiday party look. She just needs a purse! Count down 1-2-3 and tell us which one you like best for the dress! It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!
Thanks to Joyce for today's Hodgepodge questions! You can join in HERE!
Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 530
2. What's one word you tend to abbreviate in your writing or speech? (as in rizz for charisma) I abbreviate appointment (appt) often, and those of us who live in Lakeland know what Lkld means.
3. Are you a Hallmark movie watcher this time of year? What's your favorite character from a holiday- themed movie, book, or TV special? I am not a fan of Hallmark movies. Perhaps I should watch another one but my previous experience is that they are all basically the same outline making no surprises or anything really compelling because you know how it will end. Sorry. I'm most likely alone in my thinking. I quit reading Stephen King and Dean Koontz for the same reason. They may have changed as well.
6. Insert your own random thought here. I'm so excited about Christmas dinner and am happy I can be the hostess and so look forward to having my dear friends and my dear sister here for the holiday. Food is a love language and I can do food!!
Since I don't have the usual meme for Tuesday, I will just say that my birthday was celebrated well yesterday! I was blessed by so many wishes, gifts, cards, phone calls, texts, dinner out...
Dinner out at Longhorn with Dee and Bill was so fun and I didn't get a photo. Didn't even think about it because we were talking and laughing so much.
Thanks to all for the good wishes!! I am blessed beyond belief!
I had a fun weekend that started on Friday, at work. We had a pizza party for my birthday and a co-worker's. The boss bought the pizzas and I took in cake. Another co-worker brought iced tea and lemonade. Of course, the most fun was the camaraderie. I am so blessed.
Saturday was my church's Christmas party/dinner. The church bought the meats (turkey and hams) and I baked two of the hams for us. I also took in a dessert. It was so well attended that we had to add seats. We had a Christian comedian who performed for us. He had us all laughing. His name is Mike Williams and HERE is his website. It was a wonderful evening.
This is our sanctuary...
Sunday school and church yesterday. It was our communion Sunday, which is always so special. I got home and did laundry and started working on Christmas cards. I got a phone call from my sister, Patti, so we got caught up on everything and more! (Love you, Sis!)
Another week ahead. Time is flying!! I have invited my immediate neighbors for Christmas dinner and they have all accepted!! There will be nine at my table and I am beyond excited about it!!
Well, today is my 72nd birthday. My neighbors, Dee & Bill, have invited me for dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse this evening! How great is that?! I feel blessed over and over by my family, friends, and dear neighbor friends. I will get a picture!!