Merry Christmas to all! May you be as blessed as I was on this Christmas morning while reading this devotional from "Streams in the Desert" ...and may your Christmas Day be peaceful, joyful and blessed ! ~Sue~

"His name shall be called Emmanuel . . . God with us." (Matt. 1:23) .

"The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6).

"There's a song in the air!
There's a star in the sky!
There's a mother's deep prayer,
And a baby's low cry!
And the star rains its fire
While the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King."

A few years ago a striking Christmas card was published, with the title, "If Christ had not come." It was founded upon our Saviour's words, "If I had not come." The card represented a clergyman falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there were no little stockings in the chimney corner, no Christmas bells or wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort, gladden and save. He walked out on the public street, but there was no church with its spire pointing to Heaven. He came back and sat down in his library, but every book about the Saviour had disappeared.

A ring at the door-bell, and a messenger asked him to visit a poor dying mother. He hastened with, the weeping child and as he reached the home he sat down and said, "I have something here that will comfort you." He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended at Malachi, and there was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.

Two days afterward he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service, but there was no message of consolation, no word of a glorious resurrection, no open Heaven, but only "dust to dust, ashes to ashes," and one long eternal farewell. He realized at length that "He had not come," and burst into tears and bitter weeping in his sorrowful dream.

Suddenly he woke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing in his church close by:

"O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord."

Let us be glad and rejoice today, because "He has come." And let us remember the annunciation of the angel, "Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10, 11).

"He comes to make His blessing flow, Far as the curse is found."

May our hearts go out to the people in heathen lands who have no blessed Christmas day. "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and SEND PORTIONS TO THEM FOR WHOM NOTHING IS PREPARED." (Neh. 8:10)

A (New) Sweet Memory

As the 'littles' sat at the table eating their 'ativities' (their edible nativities) this morning as Anna calls them, they were discussing the morrow-Christmas Day! They wished Mum a "Merry Christmas-Eve!" Anna, with part of a wiseman still in her mouth squeals delightedly, "And we get to open PRESENTS!" Ronnie wisely but sweetly said, "Now Anna....what's the real meaning of Christmas...do you know?" Mum and I were sitting in the living room talking but this conversation caught our ear and we began to eavesdrop, er, listen to the littles conversation. Anna, her four-year-old voice endearing to our listening ears promptly said, "We celebrate baby Jesus' birthday!" Ronnie, not satisfied with the reply says, "Aaaand?" We couldn't see her, but I imagine her tilting her head to the side and saying, "What?" Ronnie says, while munching on some 'hay' from his nativity, "Giving thanks....for God sending His son Jesus."

Mum and I both sat there in stunned silence. We were both beaming. We both said "Wow" almost at the same time and then Mum remarked in wonderment, "It does get through."

I so enjoy seeing the simplicity of things; the simple words Ronnie and Anna spoke are yet profound because that IS what it's all about! Not gifts (like Ronnie was quick to remind Anna of) not even traditions, not music, not Santa Claus. It's about God's love in sending His only son Jesus to live life as a man and die to save the sins of the world.

How silently, how silently

This wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

*Third verse of O Little Town of Bethlehem*

COOKIES!!!

This is our 1963 Betty Crocker Cookie Book. There is a little story behind this...my mom won the 'Betty Crocker Award' when she was in highschool in the 60's...( we still tease her about it!) and this is the cookie book that I remember her using when I was a little girl. Well, in the mid-nineties...she and my step-dad lost everything in a hurricane on the North Carolina shore where they lived...including this book. It was out of print by this time, and I found her a used copy...and was so thrilled to be able to give it to her. Of course, I had to get my own copy as well. Now, they have re-published it and you can buy it at any Barnes and Noble or Amazon...It has become a tradition that ever young lady in our family must have her own copy when she gets married...and I sometimes give them as bridal shower gifts or birthday gifts for hopechests as well. So.....the chocolate cookies below are from this cookie book called "Chocolate Crinkles"...these are the ones I remember the most my mom making when I was a little girl. The other cookies that are on this plate are my grandmothers "iced orange cookies"...they taste like little iced orange cakes and always remind me of my Gram!




These cut out cookies below are my maternal grandmothers recipe...buttery and crunchy...they are delicious! We used the 'paintbox cookie' recipe from the book to paint them instead of icing them...the kids had so much fun painting their cookies...and I was thrilled not to have any more sugary icing! The little gingerbread man was Anna's...she is so proud of him!

After a fun afternoon visiting one of our favorite families, the Skiles family...we had some old friends over to help us cut out and paint the cookies. These two young ladies have been friends since birth...as my friend Jamie and I lived across the street from each other and were expecting together.

Below is my friend Jamie rolling out and cutting out the cookies...it's been a while since she has done this...and what fun we had talking the night away while the kids had fun painting their cookies! What precious memories were made today! We're so grateful for the wonderful friends the Lord has blessed us with....old friends and new.

This was Anna's first year being quite so involved in the cookie process at Christmas time...I think she is a natural! She loved it!!!

Here are our finished products!!! Don't the painted cookies look pretty?! I was extremely blessed by a very generous friend today who blessed me with quite a bit of pecans....with the price of pecans right now, I thought that I would have to forego one of my favorite cookies, Pecan Tassies...I'm not sure if they will get made by Christmas...but I can guarantee they will be baked by Sunday! I love those cookies! God has also worked thru this generous friend before and again today by her blessing us with packages of organic beef...my favorite cuts, as well! I'm glad that he created us to have opposite tastes...and that he has blessed her with a generous heart...thank you, my friend!

Now...it's off for a well-earned rest. Meghan just finished sewing her gifts for Ronnie and Anna, Sara wrapped a gift for me, the coffee maker is set and we are all off to bed.

Tomorrow....Blintzes! I am so very blessed to have my older daughters helping me and doing things together...it makes the tasks go quicker and more fun to do them together with Meghan and Sara and tomorrow they will be doing a lot of wrapping for me...thank goodness...I don't know what I would do without them!

So to all....a Goodnight! ~Sue~

The Joys of Family...

Family...there are many different personalities in our family...different likes/dislikes, many of us have very different sense of humors, different interests and different ways of doing things...but I like reminding my self that God placed each one of us in THIS family...and I'm so grateful that He did!

Yesterday, we all got together for our family Christmas celebration at my mom's house. Lots of wonderful food...appetizers like waterchestnuts wrapped in bacon, spinach dip, hot taco dip & chips...went well with the Steeler game.Then a delicious dinner of pork tenderloin, homemade rolls, augratin potatoes, carrots, green beans, and a family favorite, 'blintzes'...one of the foods that my girls say it wouldn't be a Christmas celebration without...and of course....COOKIES...and some wonderful chocolate mousse as if all of that weren't enough already!


This is the 'matriarch' of our family...the glue that holds us all together...my beautiful mother. I know...She does NOT look old enough to have a daughter my age...I think it's great that we are growing older together!
Here is a picture of my 19 year old niece, Lauren. She is in her second year of college at Penn State and will be studying in Italy next spring.

Here is my sister Lori, and our new nephew, Ty Robert! He is so busy...loves riding on this and he loved reading the new books we got him....he is so alert...it will be so interesting to watch him as he grows!

Here is my youngest sister Pam, with her 12 year old twins, Justin and Tina. Because they live over an hour away, it is always a treat to spend time with them.

Here is my hard working hubby going on just a couple hours sleep. He has been working one week night-turn (his usual) and one week daylight this month...and after working all night in freezing rain, got a couple hours sleep and was able to join us for the celebrations. ( as I'm typing this, he is working his second job fixing cars...he is one of the hardest working men that I know)

This....is our annual "Sister Picture"! Pammy and I love this....Lori tolerates it for our sakes, but we each have a special sister picture frame that we update every year....always reminds me of the special love that we have for each other. We are each so very, very different in most ways...but our love and care for each other is so strong...we don't know what we would do without each other!

Shayne, my nephew, loved his new afghan...he didn't put it down the rest of the day!

Anna loved her princess presents...now she has her very own "big girl" backpack and was thrilled with her "princess checkers game"!

Ronnie was so excited...he got the army belt and canteen that he had wanted so badyly from Vision Forum...and also got a 'Darth Vadar' laptop....all the games are educational and right now, since he can't be as active as he would like, this is wonderful! He is loving it!

Sara has been wanting a pink hoodie for so long now...she is so thrilled, that I don't think she has taken it off yet!

Meghan...I wish this wasn't blurry, but the expression on her face is priceless...she got her 'Pride and Predjudice' gift set...she never suspected that she was getting it!
I think our family had the best Christmas celebration together that we've ever had...and I pray God's blessings on each member of our family...for their health, well-being and happiness in the coming year...and may each one walk closer and closer to Jesus! ~Sue~

Joyful preparations....

Lots of busy, fun work going on around here lately! Seems everyone has been busy doing special things for Christmas...even our little ones.Ronnie and Anna made salt dough ornaments...(even Sara painted a couple)...they were fun as they were done in steps...so over the course of a couple days our little ones had fun painting away!

Here is a picture of the afghan I finished for my 17 year old nephew, Shayne...he's been wanting one and will be surprised when he opens it....lots of baking and crocheting slippers as well. Here are some pictures of the "fruit of our hands"!

Last night, Ronnie, Anna, and Sara made 'edible nativities'. How much fun!!! We were all sitting around our big table ( making our individual messes!)...While they made their nativities, Sara also finished sewing her ornaments that she made, Meghan had already finished her dishcloths she was crocheting, so she made our appetizer for our family Chrismas gathering today...water chestnuts wrapped with bacon and dipped, then carmelized in brown sugar and ketchup...YUM!....while I supervised, crocheted slippers and finished making individual name ornaments for family...had to make one for our new nephew, Ty...to add to my sister's tree. Lots of YARN in our home...I love it!

Today, we are all looking forward to a special, fun family get-together with my sisters, mom and nieces and nephews...although I get a special visit with my nephew, Tommy, on Tuesday...special, because it is one on one with him.May you all have a special, blessed, joyful Sabbath day!!! ~Sue~

P.S. A special cookie post will be coming featuring a special, heirloom ( to our family) cookie book. ( they have now re-issued it and you can buy it again!)

I had to post what I found!

This website: www.cryptogram.com/hearts is really cool and I wanted to make this for our blog. Comment on what you think of it!

~Sara~

Fruit Gusher Moment

You know what I'm talking about: the feeling like your a fruit gusher with too much juice inside and someone squeezes you one more time, you'll pop and spew juice out on everyone? Well, I just popped. The Christmas season is here and though I had bought all my presents, I still had to make eight ornaments for some people (not telling, just in case they read this blog). Very easy to make, but I need to sew them up. On top of that project and desperately needing to get a shower, I forgot to do my math for yesterday because I was babysitting in the morning and again in the evening, so I have two math lessons on my plate today :(

Because Meghan and Mom had to finish shopping for gifts (Meghan is buying mine as we speak...) mum asked me to load the dishwasher from breakfast (normally Meghan's job, but she didn't have time). I agreed, but then the realization hit me: I HAD TOO MUCH TO DO! When my dad nicely reminded me to finish the kitchen, I blew up. I broke down on my bed and cried huge tears of self pity. A scripture ( I don't know the reference, sorry!) came to me in the middle of my tear fest: 'Be still and know I am God'. No matter what we have on our plate, we need to do just that: be still and know He is God.

So the next time you eat a fruit gusher ( which I doubt many of you do... but I'm just sayin), remember that the next time you're like that piece of chewy candy waiting to spew, just simply BE STILL AND KNOW HE IS GOD!

PS: By the way, Merry Christmas! ; )

My Maidens of Virtue....

A couple of years ago, my daughters and I along with many other mother's and daughters started a monthly study/get-together for Bible study, book study, encouragment and fellowship. The book that we started with is called "Raising Maidens of Virtue"...so our little group was christened our "Maidens Group". Well...we've worked thru that book and are about 2/3 of the way thru the book "Beautiful Girlhood" and the study guide. The most mothers and daughters that we've had has been around 20 but the average meeting has about 16 each month.

This group has been such a blessing to all of us. We've dug into God's word to see what He says about Biblical Womanhood ( and girlhood, of course), we've had wonderful discussions where all of us ( moms included) have been able to support, encourage and exhort one another in our walk with the Lord, in our parenting, and in our marriages...and the girls are all learning at their mother's side...sometimes along with us. It is fun to see quite a few of the young ladies bring some form of handwork to do as we talk...knitting, crocheting, embroidery...it is not required, and not everyone does it, but it is fun to see what the girls are all creating. It is also fun to see how many pairs of sisters there are: usually if all are attending, there are four sets of sisters. Three are pictured. :)

Sara and Meghan

Hannah and Courtney

Michaela and Morgan

This past Monday, we had our December meeting/ Christmas party. We read a chapter, prayed, discussed and prayed some more...then we had an ornament exchange with the girls...what fun they had! There was lots of wonderful food...from stuffed mushrooms, ham hordeovoures, bruschetta on homemade toast points, pistachio cake, citrus cake, Mrs. W's famous dip and chips, homemade chocolate confections ( the oreo trifles were amazing!) and of course the ever present popcorn! Afterwards, each girl had a chance to make a beautiful ribbon board ( courtesy of the Goettel's!) to take home as a special keepsake that they had made with our Maiden's friends...all in all, it was a very special, memorable evening!

We're so gratedful for this group of friends...moms and daughters alike! I so appreciate the kindred spirits that I have found and the fellowship that I need as much as the girls.

Most of our girls have been friends for almost 10 years now...and they are all such wonderful young women...I'm so glad they have each other for support, encouragement, accountability...as well as fun and friendship! Just had to share another one of our joys of this season! ~Sue~