From John

I can always remember dad running out at the last minute to buy something from mom. We always opened gifts on Christmas eve, and one year I got a lionel train set. We set it up on the kitchen table, and dad had it going wide open. It flew off the table and broke. Then I was sad, but dad went out and got a new engine for it!!!
God speed...John

Thanks for sharing that memory with me. I had forgotten all about dad's last minute shopping trips. And opening gifts on Christmas eve must have started after I was older ...maybe after I left for Nashville? I guess you guys got a jump start before the crowd came in on Christmas Day. In one of the pictures from Friday's post there is a huge dog. This was John's dog, a great dane (?) named Goliath. Man, that dog was like a small horse! Merry Christmas, John!

North Myrtle Beach Traditions

When the girls were young, we bought a timeshare at Peppertree by the Sea in NMB. Our week is the one following Thanksgiving, so I guess you could say that it became one of our Christmas traditions. But like many traditions it too has changed over the years. When we first started going, the girls were homeschooled so part of the day was spent studying, part going to gymnastics and the rest enjoying the beach and the indoor pool. The last couple of years Jill and Bree have been able to come a couple of days. Jill would bring her computer and work from there, Bree and I would just hang out and enjoy the beach on warmer days. I'm not sure but I think one year Julie took some pictures on the beach that are now on her website. They're in the art section - alternative processes. - (I think #s 12-14 in the slide show - Is that right Julie?)
Anyway, over the years it's provided an opportunity to get some shopping done, Christmas cards done, catch a movie or a show, make truffles and buckeyes, and just enjoy family time at the beach. I love to watch the sunrise over the ocean and love to hear the waves crashing. It provides a glorious backdrop for morning devotions. Both Gary and I cherish these peaceful moments. I think that's the best part of the week.
"With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will dawn upon us. It will shine on those who live in darkness, in the shadow of death. It will guide us into the path of peace." Luke 1: 78-79
"Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words." 2 Corinthians 9:15
blessings!

Christmas at Grandma Naves

Christmas at Grandma Naves has changed over the years. John and I don't live near, so our families aren't able to participate in that wild event. I say wild because that's what happens when that many kids gather in one place. But our hearts are there even when we aren't. I'm trying to think about Jill's age in these pictures and I believe in the first one she is 3, in the second one she's 5 and in the third one she's 4. Am I right? Anyway, from the pictures you see that Christmas at Grandma's was fun for the kids!

"Santa Claus" author unknown

He comes in the night! He comes in the night!
He softly, silently comes,
While the little brown heads on the pillows so white
Are dreaming of bugles and drums.
Who tells him I know not, but he findeth the home
Of each good little boy and girl.

He rides to the West, and he rides to the East;
Of his goodies, he touches not one;
he eats the crumbs of the Christmas feast
When the dear little folds are done.
Old Santa Claus does all that he can;
This beautiful mission is his;
Then children, be good to the little old man,
When you find who the little man is.

Becky's Thoughts

Becky shares these thoughts of Christmas.
This year as the holidays approach, I find myself singing old Christmas songs from grade school, songs from church and reminiscing of Christmas Caroling. I remember the innocence and excitement of waiting for the Christmas decorations and my mon's endless energy to get the house clean and all decorated. I can smell the aroma of cloves placed in an apple or orange and placed on a shelf. I see mistletoe hanging in the doorway as you go into the kitchen. Since we didn't have the luxury of having sweets all year round or just anytime at the touch of our fingers, the glorious fragrances coming from the kitchen as mother baked for the wonderful celebration was were highly anticipated.
I loved looking at our beautiful Christmas tree. I remember the light with color wheel shining on the tree. I would lay under the tree looking up and the lights were like stars shining. I would imagine the Star shining over Bethlehem that first Christmas. I always, from then on, wanted as many lights on my Christmas tree. I felt that it was my way of remembering that Jesus, God's precious gift to us is truly the Light of the World.
I also remember we always dressed in our very best and had all the family over! We couldn't wait to exchange gifts. I was always excited for Aunt Mary and Uncle Charlie to arrive, because I knew they always brought us a gift. Remember when we were children, we didn't get toys and gifts all year round so even underwear was exciting to get! I am thankful for the joy and love I felt at Christmas. It was such an exciting time, and I was so thankful for my 3 gifts and my stocking! (remember Jesus received 3 gifts on that first Christmas, so why do we think we have to break the bank now?) I still have my Christmas stocking from my childhood. I remember the nuts and little personal items. I really appreciate what I received and am so thankful. Now as a parent, I realize what it is like to try to find "the gift" to make our children happy. When as we have to realize is that if we would just keep it simple and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, we will make the holidays memorable!
Thank you mom and dad for giving me wonderful memories, especially you momma!
Becky

Nashville Christmas

Wow, this was a few years ago. So young (and skinny)! Gary and I were in school in Nashville and it looks like we had 2 little cats. There wasn't a plan or theme for my trees back then...just whatever I had. I think icicles were the only requirement. I don't think the tree was as brown as it looks in the second picture. We had so much fun and were beginning to lay the foundations for future Christmas celebrations.
In my English class at Bible college I used Christmas as the theme for a poetry assignment. I think we had to choose a subject, find poems and somehow put them all together. I do remember that I got an A even though it was a bit "cheesy."
One of the poems I used..."Christmas is Remembering" by Elsie Binns.

Christmas is remembering
Shy shepherds on a hill
And voices echoing
"Peace--Good Will!"
Christmas is remembering
A stable and a star
And wise men journeying
from afar.
Christmas is remembering
A new-born baby boy
And all the world caroling
Songs of joy.

Christmas is Remembering

I love Christmas. I love the sights, the sounds, the smells, the tastes of Christmas. I'm so glad I'm part of a family who loves Christmas. I can't imagine being married to one of those "bah humbug" persons! Ewww! I'm also very blessed to have some "kindred spirit" friends who also adore Christmas....definitely some great memories of past Christmases there!

For the next couple of weeks, I'm going to look back through the years and remember. I welcome you on my journey.

A few years ago, we started taking a family picture on Christmas day. This one is from 2007. Bree had so much fun helping Julie push the button on the timer and then running and jumping into place. And how cool is it to have a photographer in the family? Way cool!

Tomorrow we'll go back to Christmas in Nashville 1974.

A Few Cards to Share

I finally took a few minutes and quickly edited some pictures of some cards from some recent classes and card swaps. The first card is from a swap using hostess sets from the new SU IB&C. I used "Of the Earth" a level 1 hostess set. The colors for the card came from the designer series paper "Tea Party". You wouldn't know it from these pictures, but "purples" aren't colors I normally choose.

The next card was from a class last month and when I made it I knew exactly which of my friends would be getting this one. And it was made knowing that I would be giving it to her to cherish the memory of someone she loved very, very much.

The last 3 cards were made at a quick and easy class I had last week. I had to go back to some basic layouts and work really, really hard to keep some of the cards simple. That's not an easy thing. But it worked and everyone completed all 12 cards in 2 hours. That's a good thing, especially when you have people who've never stamped before.

The other stamp sets used are medallion, fun and fast notes, and sentiments from thoughts and prayers and from warm words.

Blessings!