Prayer for the New Year

Grant me the strength from day to day
to bear what burdens come my way.
Grant me throughout this bright New Year
more to endure and less to fear.

Help me live that I may be
from spite and petty malice free.
Let me not bitterly complain
when cherished hopes of mine prove vain,
or spoil with deeds of hate and rage
some fair tomorrow's spotless page.

Lord, as the days shall come and go
in courage let me stronger grow.
Lord, as the New Year dawns today
help me to put my faults away.

Let me be big in little things;
grant me the joy which friendship brings.
Keep me from selfishness and spite;
let me be wise in what is right.

A Happy New Year!
Grant that I may bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end.
Let it be said I've played the friend,
have lived and loved and labored here,
and made of it a happy year.
-- Edgar A. Guest

Merry Christmas! A Joyful Serenade

Here is a joyful serenade for this glorious Christmas Day, The Isaacs performing "Rejoice." I have written out the lyrics:

Rejoice, rejoice for Christ the Son,
The Savior of the world has come
Bringing peace to everyone,
The Savior of the world has come.

Sing the carols, sound the horn,
Ring the bells, the child is born.
Little drummer play your drum.
The Savior of the world has come.

Hallelujah we will sing,
Hallelujah He is king.

Join every nation, every tongue
The Savior of the world has come.
To unite us old and young
The Savior of the world has come.

Hallelujah He is born,
Hallelujah He is Lord.
Hallelujah, we will sing.
Hallelujah, He is king.
Halelujah, He is born.
Halelujah, He is Lord.

Here is the performance as uploaded to YouTube:



The melodic voices and sweet strings provide a lovely serenade for this Christmas Day.

Clipart from Doverpublications.com

Blue Monday – Vintage Christmas Greetings

Here are two vintage Christmas postcards from my nativity collection. They have such charming well wishes.

Both cards have lovely blue color.

See more Blue Monday posts at Smiling Sally.

"‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME"

Here is a poem that points to Christ’s promise to return for His own beloved followers. It employs the familiar rhythms of Clement C. Moore’s poem, "The Visit From St. Nicholas."

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head.
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And through I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It’s not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He arose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear.
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!
---Author Unknown

My hope is that no one who loves His name will experience what the narrator describes for himself. As we celebrate His first coming as a babe in Bethlehem, let us consider that He promised to return for His loved ones.

For more Spiritual Sundays please go here.

ABCs of the Word - U

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is U

Consider what I say;
and the Lord give thee understanding
in all things
2 Timothy 2:7

The understanding that God gives us will protect us from all sorts of error.

“Then we will no longer be infants,
tossed back and forth by the waves,
and blown here and there
by every wind of teaching
and by the cunning and craftiness of men
in their deceitful scheming.”
Ephesians 4:14

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

Tagged on Favorite Authors

I have been tagged by Jeanette at Down White Oak Lane about my favorite authors.

Who is your all-time favorite author and why?
C.S. Lewis. I have been very inspired by his essays and books on various aspects of the Christian’s life. Favorite titles are Reflections on the Psalms, Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer
Who was your first favorite author and why?
Laura Ingalls Wilder was one of the authors for whome I tried to read every book by her that I could borrow from the public library.
Do you still consider him/her to be among your favorites?Yes, as far as books ablout pioneer American life. I recently bought the following book, Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography by William Anderson.

Who is the most recent addition to your list of favorite authors, and why?
Frances Mayes. I’ve enjoyed reading her Under the Tuscan Sun. Her descriptions are so vivid, it was just like being there. I’ve started another book by her called Bella Tuscany
If someone asked you who your favorite authors were right now, which authors would first pop out of your mouth?
Emilie Barnes, Og Mandino, Alexandra Stoddart, Susan Lynam Clough

I would like to tag, and invite to participate, the following four bloggers:

Anita - Prairie Dreams

Ann - Life at Ann's Place

profenretraite - Confessions of a Plate Addict
Carol – Carol’s Heirloom Collection

Rules: Link to the person that tagged you, post the rules somewhere in your meme, answer the questions, tag six people in your post, let the tagees know they have been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog, let the tagger know your entry is posted.

Friday Show and Tell – More Thrifting for Christmas Collections

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home.

Yesterday I returned to the thrift shop and came upon piles of Christmas stuff that donors had been bringing in to the store. Among them were lots of snowmen and santas. I started selecting one or two here and there, when I noticed that one of the ladies at the front desk was waving at me, trying to get my attention. She asked me to remind her of my name, then told me that there was a box at the desk with snowmen. She put it on the desk for me to go through and I selected some of them.

After filling up a plastic shopping bag with books, I gathered 2 small containers of other stuff and went up to the desk to check out. I told her I would probably have to put back some stuff because I was short on cash. She looked at my pile of things and said "Just make an offer." I told her, "Well, all I have to offer is $5.00." She said, "That’s fine." I had one bag of books for $1.00 and that left $4.00 for all the rest:

Soft snowmen of cloth, etc.


Five resin figurines

Ceramic, glass and candle figures

Carved wood and painted wood snowmen. The one on the left has a sticker, "TJ CARVER/ Real Wood Carvings"

Tiny whimsical snowmen, including one plastic wind-up walker

Green ceramic stool to place a figure on, and snowman-decorated box

Three Santa items, a brass reindeer ornament, glass salt & pepper

All these for four dollars! And so my Snowpeople and Santa collections were enhanced with my brief store visit.

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my thrifty finds. Visit more Show and Tell at There is No Place Like Home.

ABCs of the Word - T

Pam At Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is T

"Taste and see

that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man

who takes refuge in him."
Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

Vintage Thingies Thursday – Thrifted Ornies

Yesterday I stopped in at the community thrift shop. There I found two battered boxes of vintage tree ornaments tumbling out of their boxes. At the cashiers I was told 25 cents each -- 50 cents for the two boxes! Take a look at what I got:

The first box is labelled ‘Christmas Balls’ and the items inside wrapped in paper towels:

On the inside were about 14 lovely vintage glass ornaments, plus one that was smashed.

There was also a tiny little gold angel with a string to hang as an ornament. It's nearly 1.5 inches. It will go on my miniature tree of mini angels.

The second box was an Entenmann’s box for Apple Strudel

Inside were more vintage glass ornaments, including a little red violin. All were in great ccondition.

These will be added to my vintage tree which I set up last year:

Thank you for visiting today; I hope you will return soon. To see more vintage treasures, please visit Coloradolady for a list of participating posts.

Angel Giveaway and Two Awards

Visit Prince of Peace blog for a fabulous giveaway of this beautiful angel:

AWARDS
Two bloggers whom I respect very much have honored me with two awards:

1. The first is the Proximadade Award which, translated from Portugese means,
"This blog contributes to and supports or believes in close friendships."
Schotzy at Wings of Eagles has honored me with this award.
"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I previously passed this award on and so will pass it on to four more bloggers now:

1. Sally – Salmagundi

2. Marilyn - A Mixed Bouquet

3. Jewelgirl – Sandwiched Mom

4. Ellen – Little Hedda Hopper All Grown Up

2. The second is the Lemonade Award - Charlotte (char72) at Charlotte’s Blog has honored me with this award, which recognizes blogs that reveal great attitude and/or gratitude.
This award recognizes blogs which reveal great attitude and/or gratitude.

Here are the rules for this award:
• Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
• Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
• Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
• Share the love and link to this post to the person from whom you received your award.

These are the 5 bloggers I wish to pass this award to. Their blog posts evidence their warm attitudes toward life and toward others.

Beverly – Tea Time and Roses
Wendy – Ivory Spring
Laura – Décor to Adore
Skoots1mom – My Hands his Glory
Noelle - Prince of Peace

Thank you both Schotzy and Charlotte, for your kind support of my blog.

Carrie

Tablescape Tuesday – Breakfast Table

Tablescape Tuesday is sponsored by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch.

Today’s tablescape is the table in the Kitchen where my mother and I have breakfast and most our meals when it’s just the two of us. An 18" tree is decorated with tiny Hallmark nativity ornaments.

The holiday setting uses Spode "Christmas Tree" plates and cereal bowls. The "Christmas Tree" goblets are supplemented with Avon "Cape Cod" Ruby red tumblers for water, and juice glasses.

We keep the table like this and switch out the larger Canonsburg "American Traditional" off-white soup bowls depending on the menu. "Christmas Tree" mugs are added for hot drinks, while the matching sugar and creamer are right at hand. So is the matching cake plate for sandwiches or other menu item.

Deep green oval placemats embriodered in red holly berries are under the glass with a white tablecloth adding a bright note. Matching green cloth napkins are in "Cape Cod" napkin rings.

My mother enjoys eating at pretty place settings so she really enjoys this one. But she says her favorite is the one in the dining room, with its Lenox "Holiday" china and linens. Go to my Carola Nativity Gallery blog to see this more formal setting.
http://carolanativitygallery.blogspot.com/
For more delightful table settings please see the list of participants at Susan’s blog.

Blue Monday - December Love

Blue Monday is sponsored by Sally at Smiling Sally.

Here are 14 Reasons Why I love December! [With touches blue here and there]

1. Thinking about Jesus and His marvelous birth

2. Decorating theme trees for most rooms

3. Gingerbread cookies, fruitcake, fudge, eggnog
4. My "Christmas Tree" and "Holiday" china

5. Selecting and wrapping gifts for family & friends
6. Christmas Specials on HGTV
7. Receiving Christmas cards, especially those with nativity theme.

8. Christmas Concerts
9. My nativity sets

10. Holiday Magazines

11. Christmas Day birthdays of my sister and nephew, her son
12. Family get-togethers
13. Opening gifts on Christmas Morning
14. Christmas Dinner!

Why do you love December?

For more blue Monday posts please visit Smiling Sally.

Friday Show and Tell - Christmas Collections III - Trees Collection

My Christmas tree collection started with Spode "Christmas Tree" dishes. I bought two cereal bowls in summer 1970 in England – one for me and one for my sister whose birthday is December 25. Soon, I started to buy the dinner plates, mugs and other pieces. Each year I added to the collection. I also got some as gifts for my sister and her Christmas-loving family.

Here are some of the dishes on the countertops and stove during Christmas holidays 2007:




Besides the "Christmas Tree" dishes, I’ve gathered tree-shaped figurines, salt and pepper sets, trinket boxes and mini trees.

Here is the tree collection gathered on top of the microwave at the end of holidays 2006.
The following photos show the kitchen décor for Christmas 2007. the pine hutch served as display space for the Spode "Christmas Tree" dishes supplemented by Bordallo Pinheiro and tree figurines.

The microwave displayed a number of tree-shaped items.

For more Friday Show and Tell please visit Kelli’s house at There is No Place Like Home.