The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yes, that line is from one of the most popular Christmas songs of the 20th century, and it aptly applies to the Christmas holiday season. For me, however, it does not apply to the hectic scurrying around, standing in long lines, fighting traffic, or arriving at 1AM to stand in line at the mall or Wal-Mart for a gift card or bargain television set. That, to me, is not Christmas at all.

This year, in our family, we came to the decision that Christmas had become a giving contest. We decided to no longer purchase gifts for the adults, only for the children, and we set a limit on that. We also decided that we would change some of our family traditions to include reading the Christmas story to the children and to select a charitable deed to do as a family. This year it is a care package for a soldier serving our country in Iraq, far away from his home and family on Christmas.

More importantly, we all need to stop each and every day and take time out from the hustle and bustle of cooking, baking, decorating, card writing, gift wrapping, shopping, and swiping those credit cards, to remember what Christmas is all about. It's about the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, who was born in a lowly manger, who died on a cross, and who rose again on the third day so that we might spend eternity in Heaven. It is Jesus who makes this the most wonderful time of the year.

First Frost

I woke this morning to the ground covered with the first frost of the year. Being in Florida, this is as close to snow as we get. It reminds me that the year is waning and that Thanksgiving and Christmas are drawing near.

Fall is my favorite time of year, I love everything about it...maybe because I was a fall baby. I'm growing anxious this year for the holidays, they make me feel like a child again.

In the meantime, I'm staying inside this morning, wrapped up in my warm, pink, chenille robe and fuzzy slippers and peeking out the window from time to time as the sun rises higher and higher in the sky and watching the frost melt away under the warmth of the sun's rays.

Childhood Treasures

Yes, this is me! Well, okay, it was a long time ago.

Too many years came and went before I figured out that I treasured the wonderful things I had growing up. Unfortunately, too many of them had long been lost. It's really a shame someone didn't warn me, as a child, that I would want those dolls and toys when I reached middle age. I might have taken better care of them.

Slowly and steadily I have been rebuilding my collection of dolls and precious toys. This doll, however, continues to elude me. I've hunted and searched through EBay, doll sites and books, trying to find what kind of doll this is. I've written to experts and even paid one expert to look at my photo and tell me. Her best guess was a Sears "Happi-Time Playmate. Nobody seems to know anything about them or have one for sale. I keep hoping that one day I'll run across someone who has my doll for sale.

Fall in Florida

I love fall. I grew up in the Chicagoland area where fall is spectacular. Crisp cool nights and warm, sunny days, blue skies that make you ache and trees that look like God spilled a paint palette everywhere. The bright orange of ripe pumpkins and the beautiful rainbow of chrysanthemums everywhere plus there is a unique scent in the air unlike any other time of year.

Ten years ago, I moved to Florida. Florida doesn't have fall. Our leaves don't turn bright orange and yellow, just brown and fall off...sometime in January. We don't have crisp cool nights where you can leave your windows open and sleep with the fresh air blowing in, snuggled under your nice warm quilts. We're still running the air conditioning. Chrysanthemums are an annual here and only last a couple of weeks before the sun dries them out. Pumpkins rot on the ground, it's still too hot for them.

I miss all the wonders of fall. The smell, the crunch of leaves underfoot as you walk in the woods, the beauty of God's creation, for only God could paint such beautiful colors together for us to enjoy.

Politics

I've always loved politics. In my younger years, I served for five years on the local school board. It was exciting to be an active part of the local political process in my community. I've always been a champion of the "underdog", taking the side of those who could not speak for themselves. I've also been a life-long, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat. Until this year.

Suddenly I find myself leaning more towards the politics of the Republicans. Now, I still don't agree with all the things they have on their platform, but as I grow older I find myself leaning more to the right instead of the left. I guess you might say I'm in the middle.

This year I'll be casting my vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin. I admire their politics. I admire their stand on certain issues. I admire Sarah Palin for being a strong, determined woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go get it. More than anything I admire their main focus..."Country First." It's about time someone remembered that we're all Americans first.

The Arrival of Fall

The official start of fall is still a month away, but fall is my favorite season of the year and I usually jump the gun a bit in my decorating. This year is no different. When Tropical Storm Fay decided to descend upong North Central Florida, and I was stuck in the house for days on end, it seemed the perfect time to put out the sunflowers, pumpkins, multi-colored leaves, and the rest of my fall decorations.

I don't decorate with any Halloween type decorations. You won't find jack-o-lanters, bats, witches, and the like at my house. But I think a person can decorate beautifully for fall without bowing to convention and bringing a day dedicated to evil into your home.

Like most people, at this time of year, I'm tired of the endless heat and humidity and am ready for some cooler, drier weather. I'm ready for the bounty of the fall harvest. I've got my Autumn Wreath candles ready to light .....anytime fall, anytime!

Sisterchicks Go Brit!

I got my copy today...I can't WAIT to get started reading it! There's nothing more uplifting than one of the Sisterchicks books by Robin Jones Gunn.

If you haven't tried one of these books, I urge you to try one....you'll laugh, and you'll cry too, as God speaks to your heart.