The Joining of two hearts!
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Christoper McCann!
The wedding was officiated by Pastor Stephen Oelhafen (also the bride’s brother-in-law) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, with a lovely, heart felt-Ceremony!
The couple met in college and found love, may they enjoy many many decades of bliss together!
Season’s Greetings-a term “normally” said to others as a term of celebration of the holidays, a well wishing, a generic, politically correct version of Merry Christmas. For a child, especially a few decades ago when it started, can be an odd expression, asking a parent what is means or what it is–which is what exactly happened in our family.
My youngest brother, whom was very young at the time, what Season’s Greetings was and what it was all about; a tradition thus began.
The North Star and the North Pole align around this time of the year, which is how the story begins. Santa, living at the North Pole, along with his elves, reindeer, and helpers, knowing that the North Pole and the North Star are aligning, realizes it’s the season to be the most active, watching the children of the Earth for “the good boys and girls”, with help of the elves; the elves, upon the start of Season’s Greetings, will leave little treats throughout the month of December for doing nice things or other good things, i.e. earning a good mark on a report card, helping out a neighbor without asking, and more.
Little Elf treats became a magical form of the season, while not only acknowledging the good of the person but also encouraging the goodness of human nature to be honed and developed, encouraged, and more. The magic of the season become a two-fold reason for the season, celebrating the birth of the Saviour and encouraging the goodness of Christians among us to be kind to one another, do well, and be an example of bringing joy to the world, being an positive example.
Although we are all grown adults and some of us even have children of our own, Season’s greetings tradition continues and the Elves are active, leaving the North Pole to help Santa spread the joy of the season.
Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”
Romans 12:10: “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Well, December 1st, now, is offically known as the beginning, the start of “Season’s Greetings” in my family, a tradition that has continued.
Merry Christmas!
Enjoying a long weekend with fine weather calls for a small adventure, crossing state lines to go into Georgia-with an easy picnic.
Okay, I “cheated” with the picnic, picking up some bagged food to enjoy on my outing, but the beautiful late autumn colors, a little fire in the perma-grill, and spectacular views, listening to the songs of the river and chirping of the birds, well worth it!
Located just outside Hartwell, Georgia, the Savannah River location, just beyond the Savannah Hydro-damn is quite stunning; an easy drive without any gate or tag fees, it’s quite a lovely place to enjoy the tranquility, enjoy an easy picnic and the splendor of God’s wonderous works.
Sleight bells ring, are you listening? The Christmas and holiday season is just around the corner!
Free shipping on items from my ebay! Some of the images below are just a few of the items for sale! Pretty pottery medallion necklaces, light weight and chunky warmer scarves, paintings of all sizes, are available for sale via my eBay site! All items (except frames) are handmade!
If you would like to “claim” these homemade items as your own creation, it will be our secret!
Every purchase also helps benefit local charities! Happy Shopping!
https://www.ebay.com/usr/apotthoff?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l2559
” Blue Lightening states: Our annual Food Drive is back this year for the full month of November! All donations benefit the Wiggins Community Church. This year, especially, they are in need of food, cleaning products and personal hygiene products. Get up to a $25 Bill Credit with your donation”
Click here for the Amazon Wish-List fore ease of donating, shop, click, pay and it it’s shipped on it’s way to the donation box! There are many items to choose from that are under $1- $2-$3, and $4–including many “bulk” package items for helping to stretch the donation.
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/FVB79V6FXUJ2
Blue Lightening is located in Wiggins, Colorado–and to help support their food and hygiene donation drive, I have created an Amazon “wish list” that, if one doesn’t live in the area or can’t stop buy during business hours to drop off a donation, they may purchase and have the items directly shipped (often, free with Prime!) directly to the donation box at Blue Ligthning! (see link below)
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/FVB79V6FXUJ2-A $5 purchase/donation (one item or many that add up to $5) can go a long way!
A lovely afternoon, historical cemetary crawl in Walhalla, South Carolina at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
My cousin and I toured around the cemetary and a little furry friend joined in our adventure. The kitty hung out with us and even “talked” with us as we walked around, reading incriptions and admiring the stone masonry work.
As seen by the photos, there is quite a collection and variety of stone work and much beauty to behold.
A delightful afternoon with my cousin as we joined up for a small adventure! We were having so much fun that we forgot to take pictures at the Waterfalls near the Stumphouse Tunnel in Wahahlla, South Carolina.
A co-worker had given me a few scratch off tickets, which we cashed in and purchased a few more, scratching them off together and laughing, joking, and pondering what we would do if we won the big pot ($10,000 on that particular game.) We didn’t win the big pot but it was fun to play a game of pretend in such beautiful surroundings.
Of course, we picked up awesome lattes and frappuccinos on our way to the waterfalls!
My sister hosted game night and we played the card game “King in the Corners”. My sister made homemade Apple Cinnamon Bread with apples and caramel dip. Papa brought fried chicken and fish. My Sweetness also joined in the games and fun–My sister and nephew also played in the games and goodies!
Life is better with loved ones and fun family nights! Of course, the highlight of the evening was getting to play with my nephew and watching “bop bop” along to music and hearing him squwak along as he played card with us.
Want to partake in the games and goodies? Follow the links below!
If you want to partake in the fried chicken and fish, Papa picked up both at the hot food department at the local Ingles Grocery stores!
My Sweetheart’s Mother planted a small garden before going to visit family and asked me to help him take care of it while she is on vacation-what to do with the harvest but to eat the bounty!
Chop and simmer the following:
2 Green Bell Peppers
1 large (or 2-3 small fresh zuchinni)
2 small purple onions
4-6 toes of garlic
2-4 fresh Jalepenos
10-15 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Himalayan Salt, Pepper, and ground cumin
In a Seperate pan, Simmer 2-3 large chicken breast, once cooked, top with a jar of Korma Sauce (usually found in the international aisle of the supermarket), simmer until warm.
Ladel the steamed/sautched vegetables into the bottom of a bowl, top with the chicken korma mix, enjoy! Top with a bit of siracha sauce and/or feta cheese.
The year of 1776, our founding forefather debated, drafted and signed in Independance Hall in Philledelphia a Declaration of Independance, stating the intent of governing ourselves, foregoing the attatchment to England, sparking a Revolution. Happy Independance Day!
My family and I celebrated by gathering together for a relaxing barbeque-everyone brought a bit of this and that so that that burden wouldn’t be on one group or another-making the meal quite exquisite to the eyes and taste buds. Of course, my little godson was the star of the show with his giggles and laughter-4 generations show up and oh, boy! We celebrated to our hearts delight!
The beef T-Bones steaks came from our parents farm in Colorado (quality, natural beef is so much better!) and most of the vegetables came from the garden at my Sweetness’ house and the papaya came from Aldi-every thing was made from scratch. My brother in law carefully and exquisitely seasoned the steaks and let them “set” over night-and the garden salad was dressed in olive oil, basil leaves, fresh ground pepper, and lime juice. Everything was kept simpe; the papaya was also spiced with chili pepper powder and grilled with the squash and okra!
The aluminium foil packets are “Cowboy potatoes”, which are chunked, skin on red potatoes, chopped onions, himalayn pink salk, black pepper, garlic toes, a bit of butter, wrapped up into aluminium pouches and grilled (cowboys out on the rance would stick them in the camp fire!) And for the record, smoke bombs, the bright colored ones, and sparklers are some of my favorite fireworks!
Happy 4th of July!
Don’t forget to check out my eBay! Treasures and gifts galore!
