Answers to some questions

I don't know why I'm doing this. Not my typical blog post, nor my typical Monday night activity. Oh, well, it's different anyway! If you want to know who else is doing this, go to

Never Growing Old http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/2010/12/meet-me-on-monday_26.html

1. What are your New Year's Eve plans?

Our plans are to go to church where we have a New Year's Eve talent show. It's goofy, fun, and full of fellowship. Then we have a short message to take us into the New Year. And food--always food!

Some likely participants in the talent show!

2. How tall are you?

5'8"

3. What is your favorite pudding flavor?

Tapioca--better known in our household as "frog eyes."
Makes you want to go out and get some, huh?

4. What room of the house do you blog the most in?

Usually in the den, but right now I'm in the bedroom. I have tried for 20 minutes to get an episode of "Monk" on my computer, but I finally gave up and started surfing the blogs. Found this one, and VOILA!

5. What is your best physical feature?

Maybe the fact that I don't have lines in my face and I'm 64. I'm not real sure.

I do hope you have a very blessed New Year 2011, that you are able to rejoice in all things good, and that God will make Himself known to you in a greater way than you have ever know Him before. Happy New Year! In His great love and joy, Gloria

My favorite tree

My family and I love to go to Branson, Missouri, at Christmastime. Our favorite place is Silver Dollar City. With millions of lights and good clean fun, it is an outstanding place to take the entire family. Even the saloon's Fa-la-la-lollies is appropriate for the children!

But my very favorite thing about Silver Dollar City at Christmas is the tree in the town square. It is 10 stories high, decorated with lights and synchronized with music. Oh, the pleasure it brings! I could sit for hours and watch the lights and listen to the music.

But this is not my favorite tree of all time. My favorite is one that was cut down many, many years ago near Bethlehem of Judea. This tree was used to make the Old Rugged Cross. I cannot celebrate the birth of Jesus without celebrating the death and resurrection of my Lord. His purpose for coming was to die: "Most assuredly I say to you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.........But for this purpose I came to this hour." (John 12:24, 27b) Just to think, that little baby born in such a lowly estate yet God Himself, came to this earth to die--for my sins!

Yes, my favorite tree is
The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an Old Rugged Cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Oh, the Old Rugged Cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me.
For the Dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.

In that Old Rugged Cross stained with blood so divine a wondrous beauty I see,
For 'twas on that Old Cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.

To that Old Rugged Cross I will ever be true, it's shame and reproach gladly bear.
Till He calls me someday to my home far away, where His glory forever I'll share.

Refrain:
So I'll cherish the Old Rugged Cross, till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the Old Rugged Cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.

My prayer for you this Christmas season is that as you celebrate the birth of our Lord, you will remember the reason He came. And cherish that Old Rugged Cross!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tea Party

A Christmas blessing

Our tea party today was themed around the true meaning of Christmas, and a focus on not just the babe in the manger, but the Risen Lord. I loved hearing the children telling their favorite Christmas memories, gifts, things about the season. Interestingly, their favorite gifts were not large elaborate ones, but things that had real meaning to them. They talked about how much they love to give and how they loved to watch faces as others opened their gifts. I had to laugh at our 6 year old who was determined to spiritualize everything we discussed. It doesn't take long for them to determine what they think you want and then try to brown nose their way into your life. Not bad, Bubbles!

The daughters brought food, so this was an easy tea party.

The oreo cookie bon bons were a big hit!

One can't have a tea party without tea. Today we had "Christmas tea."

The girls loved having an ornament exchange. One of the 4 year olds wanted the ornament that she brought, and fortunately I had it and gave it to her.

All of us wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It is my prayer that each of you understands and embraces the Risen Lord who gave up heaven in order to die for sinners, and now lives again.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man. And being found in fashion as a man, He delivered Himself up to death, even death on a cross. Wherefore, God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is abouve every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

I'm linking to
A Stroll Thru Life Tabletop Tuesday
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2010/12/43rd-table-top-tuesday.html

Lady Katherine Tea Party
Teatime Tuesday
http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday
http://www.marthasfavorites.com/2010/12/tea-cup-tuesday-almost-forgotten.html

So Pretty

December in Central Florida is my kind of December!
Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving trip
to visit my sister in Titusville and my husband's sister in Tampa.
We took our two oldest granddaughters to Busch Gardens.
Yep! They had a blast.
I just prayed a lot as they rode DANGEROUS ride after ride.
Okay, so maybe they aren't so dangerous,
but the kiddie ride they made me ride frightened me almost to death!
Eat your hearts out if you live in the cold, cold north.
We live in Arkansas, and my husband has said several times that he misses Florida!

Hibiscus

Stuck in the lagoon!

Isn't this so pretty?

Love birds!

How do those flamingos stand on those spindly legs?

My brother-in-law grew these on his backyard tree.

The sky in Central Florida on the way to Tampa.

A male and female sand hill crane come to my sister's home every day.
If they don't have food out for them they peck on the window!

The golf course in my sister's backyard.

Another view of the golf course and backyard.

This isn't Florida. It's the sunset from my front yard in Arkansas.
But it's lovely, isn't it?

I do so enjoy God's handiwork, don't you?

I'm linking to:
A Southern Daydreamer
Outdoor Wednesday
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2010/12/128-outdoor-wednesday-100.html

An Oregon Cottage
Tuesday Garden Party
http://www.anoregoncottage.com/2010/12/tuesday-garden-party-favorite-garden.html

That's My King! Do You Know Him?

If you have never seen this wonderful video, now is the time to see it. As we celebrate Christ this season, it is imperative that we celebrate not only the birth of the Savior of the World, but that we celebrate Who He Is in all His glory.

Has He revealed Himself to you?

DO YOU KNOW HIM?

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

A friend emailed this to me. I watched it and cried. What an awesome God there is who created this world, gave His only Son for MY sins, and still loves me. And how thankful I am that Handel was gifted by Creator God to compose such a beautiful hymn of worship.
Oh, my, how blessed I am to know Him and to be known by Him!
Hallelujah!

Watch, listen and enjoy. Have a blessed and joyful season, and I hope that each of us is privileged to witness such a wonderful display some time during the holidays.

Why I Love Tea Parties

It's finally Autumn in Arkansas, and our red maple in our front yard is absolutely awe-inspiring. How anyone can believe that there is no Divine Architect boggles my mind. Thank you, Father, for the beauty of your earth that reflects your glory! The only appropriate theme for our November tea party was THANKSGIVING. And I am so thankful for the opportunity to have theses tea parties with 10 precious girls. Now, for why I love tea parties, the title of today's post.

1. I love to decorate

Decorating is so much fun, especially decorating for autumn. My favorite colors just flow in our home. Reds, golds, greens........

Our youngest, 17 months old, cries "Punkins!" and works very hard to retrieve them from any spot in the room. She loves to throw punkins. I managed to get a picture of the table before she climbed on it to get the punkins.

2.I do love tea cups and saucers.
I do so enjoy finding them at thrift stores and garage sales. This is my newest one, our 7 year old's favorite.

3. I love my helpers.
Wait a minute.
Did she just help me because she wanted to get first dibs on the food?

3. And speaking of food...........I like food!

4. But what I love most about having tea parties is the ones who make it so special.
The older ones help the younger ones, help me plan, and keep things moving. Haley planned the craft for the party, Indian headdresses and pilgrim hats.

Busy at work!

Maggie loved her pilgrim hat.
Well, she didn't keep it on very long, but she really liked it!

These two little Indians are best friends.
Would you believe the little one is 3 months older than the tall one? Really!

Even the big girls get into the spirit of the day.

5. I love that the girls are willing to share.

Gracie gave the character sketch today on Laura Ingalls Wilder. Each month one of the girls gives a character sketch about a woman from the Bible or from history who made a difference. We loved hearing about Mrs. Wilder's life and her books.

6. I love having the opportunity to share
God's Word with these precious girls.

Our devotional was on being thankful in all situations.

How very blessed I am!

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And have a blessed and Thankful Thanksgiving!

I'm linking to
A Stroll Through Life
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2010/11/39th-table-top-tuesday.html

Lady Katherine Tea Parlor
Tea Time Tuesday
http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

The Plumed Pen
http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/2010/11/57th-tuesday-tea-for-two.html

The Silken Purse
http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/2010/11/29th-teapot-and-tea-things-tuesday.html

My daughter is blogging!

My oldest daughter has started a blog, and as soon as my granddaughter gets over here today and shows me how--or rather, does it for me--I am going to post her button on my blog. This gal has some fun stuff on her blog! Her youngest wrote yesterday about her snake bite that she received while Mom was out getting vitamins at the health food store. I guess that's why this blog is so fun. Never a dull moment in that household.

Maybe that's why mine is so sparse lately. Not enough going on, and not enough thinking going on in my brain. I must practice thinking more often!

Well, today is tea party day for the granddaughters. I'll at least have some cute pictures to post.

We are going to be talking about giving thanks. I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to do these things with the little girls. Although one told me yesterday that she would rather go fishing with her grandfather than to go to the tea parties. She is a bit of a tom girl, albeit a beautiful one.


If you read this before my post comes up for the tea party, take some time to contemplate on 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." A very profound verse. What in the world does it mean? How can we pray without ceasing? I have to sleep sometime! I have some thoughts on that passage that I'll share with the little girls and then with you.

Have a great day. It's warm here in Arkansas today. I have the windows open and hear the children waiting for the school bus--before 7 a.m.

A Getaway to the Mountains

There is nothing more relaxing than a couple of nights in the mountains.
The sun rises on a new and invigorating day, a day of putting aside
all the cares of "normal" life.

This was the view from "our" mountaintop at the Mountain Top B&B in Mountain View, Arkansas

Our host and hostess, Ron and Alicia, were most cordial and hospitable. The room was beautiful, and we highly recommend it.

Cody's restaurant in Fifty-Six, Arkansas (yes, that's the name of the town!) had the best coconut cream pie. It's about 10 miles from Mt. View.

There's no place like the Ozark Folk Center for genuine Hillbilly entertainment and retro life. The culture has been well preserved.

A genuine cave man! He said he lived in a cave for a number of years when he first moved here, but he couldn't get a date, so he finally moved.
Really! That's what he said!

The Cobb brothers. Very professional, and home schoolers. I love home schoolers--especially my 12.

Everyone needs to make a stop at Mellons Country Store. It's country! And it's a pretty good variety store, too. Do you like roasted peanuts? Have a few while you're there.

Sylamore Creek

Somebody forgot to be redneck!

Ya'll come back now, ya' hear?

These two rednecks were really disappointed that they didn't get to go. Sorry, girls. Maybe next time!

"From the rising of the sun
to the going down of the same,
the name of the Lord is to be praised."

Psalm 113:3

I'm linking to:
A Southern Daydreamer
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2010/10/1020-outdoor-wednesday-93.html