Phase One!

Well, we've go to start somewhere! I guess the process of finding "the" tree will have to suffice for Kelly's blog right now!

Today marked the beginning of the last on my list of "to do(s)". I took a different approach with my home decor this year: house first, tree second, everything else -- crazy chaos that I promise myself I won't get involved in EVERY year -- when "I can"!

We've made a family tradition of hitting the high country for our Christmas trees. This was our fifth or sixth year of our northward excursions. Our wedding anniversary is December 2nd, and we've always celebrated by buying our tree, followed by dinner (or lunch) out. Each year, I'm pressed by my ever-loving husband to stay in Charlotte, and buy our tree locally. Sorry, just can't do it. Our day, today, was reason enough to carry on this fine tradition... in my opinion, of course! :)

We woke up this morning at 8:30. Jim nudged me to get out of our warm, cozy, bed to check the weather report online. He was bound and determined to escape having to travel, and was leaning prayerfully on the forecaster's "treacherous" weather warnings from the night before. No such luck (insert smile... he, he, he!). 1-3 inches of snow by 2:00 p.m. -- treacherous? Into the shower I went, and out the door by 11:00, we were!

The ride up to Boone was beautiful. Rainy, but pretty in a wintery way. The boys had our collection of new (old) Christmas dvds going, and we were treated to memories of childhood classics: Rudolph, Frosty, and Charlie Brown. As we passed through the town of Lenoir, our car thermometer read "ICE" with a little snowflake symbol next to it. One of the boys noticed, and screeched with joy. "Snow, Mom! See, I told you we'd see snow!". Within minutes, the temperature dropped to 29*, and down came the snowflakes. Beautiful. No regrets on my part!

We drove through the town of Blowing Rock, and the boys' excitement grew. Their childish joy is so contagious. I love being a mom! We finally reached our landmark sign, "Christmas Trees Choose & Cut": Bill Austin's Tree Farm -- our favorite tree farm -- the only tree farm, as far as our children are concerned. As we pulled in, the boys suited up with gloves and hats. They had one goal: get to the snow. I had one goal too: find a tree - quickly, as to not frustrate my ever-so-patient husband. You know how much men LOVE shopping; Christmas trees are no exception to the rule!

The boys found their snow! And this is what I faced (below!)...

So many pretty trees to choose from! At 29* with snow falling, one is forced to make a choice, and this is what I found! "THE TREE" is pictured below. Do you hear the music accompaniment from Chevy Chase's "Christmas Vacation"?!?

I can't wait to decorate this baby!

Down the hill it came, and on slippery butt, I slid behind -- really, I did! By the way, a little funny side story: Jim was on the mountain side with me for a very brief time. While up in the trees, he decided he needed to "go behind a bush". Lest I say more, a woman came snow shoeing: tip-toeing along, and I gave out a warning. In my sad attempt at discretion, I broke out into hysterical laughter. I was laughing so hard that I fell right on my bum! Made a quick recovery, I might add - Jim never saw me fall, and that's all that mattered at that point! By the time I made it down to the bottom, I was soaking wet. A good laugh; well worth the chill in the end!

They ran the tree through this fancy machine, and by the time it came out, it was a fraction of the size. The twine wrap makes the set-up much easier, by the way. You line the tree up in the stand while wrapped, straighten it out, and cut the twine. Very simple. It's Jim's job. :)

On our way back to Charlotte, we stopped to eat at Canyons. Traditions die hard! The crazy thing in all of this: we parked in the SAME EXACT parking spot as we have for the last five or six years. Weird, but very cool, I guess. Great memories are formed by the expectations of familiarity having been met; year after year.

So, stay tuned! The first picture in this post will give you a little hint as to my "theme". I can't wait to share more pictures with you in my next post. Things to come: more traditions, decorations, recipes, and of course, "the" tree in it's glory.

Blessings on The Rock

"Don't Just Count Your Blessings, Share Them". Those words grace my eyesight every day. I'm thankful to receive such a powerful reminder. All too often I find myself honing in on the blessings, but fail to take the time to pass them along. Blessings are a gift. Gifts are meant to be given; shared.

For years now, I've participated in an amazing outreach called Operation Christmas Child. Years before we were blessed with our oldest son, I felt a burden for children less fortunate. My memory is sketchy (yes, I can face the truth!), so I'm not sure as to the, "who, what, where, and when" of how I became involved; one thing I do know, however, is that it blesses our entire family to give in this way.

This year our youngest son was given the opportunity to "decorate" the shoebox entirely on his own. No holds barred. It's so fun to see what the boys come up with each year, and they never fail to surprise me with their creativity. Taking time to personalize our box also allows time to reflect upon the little child that will receive our box.

So many questions surface, as much thought is given to the task at hand. One question stood out in contrast to years past: "Mom, does our shoebox kid have a Mom and Dad?". The boys had recognized that these children might not have tangibles, but had never really connected family with their circumstances. My heart was saddened. There's a very real possibility that our shoebox child might not have a mother or father; no family to speak of.

This then, prompted me to think of what each child receives within each special little box: Jesus. These boxes contain "family" for each of these children, as Jesus Christ is our Father. For some, this may be their only tangible gift, but it is also an Eternal Blessing; an everlasting Father.

When Conor finished his box, I asked him what he had painted. He replied, "a cross on The Rock". I probed him a little further for an explanation, and he said, "The Rock is God, and Jesus died on the cross.". Conor is sharing his vision of Christ with a sweet little boy. This is his Shared Blessing -- his Gift given -- our Gift, forever.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever! Psalms 118:1

More Fall Deco-fun

These are a few more of my more halloween decorations. Kelly's Korner features a Fall Decoration tour of other bloggers' homes, and I figured I'd join in the fun! Check out her blog when you have a chance -- it's really good.

Chocolate Fondue

16 1-ounce milk chocolate candy bars, broken (I use Hershey's Milk Chocolate bars)

30 large marshmallows

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup whipping cream

Place chocolate bars and milk in fondue pot (or non-stick sauce pan on stove top). Turn temperature dial to warm. Stirring constantly, add marshmallows until melted. Gradually add whipping cream.

Serve with fresh fruit, pound or angel food cake.

* I usually use strawberries, apples, pineapples, and bananas.

Yield: 3 Cups

* Berries, Bananas, Cherries, Grapes, Oranges, Peaches, Pineapple, Kiwi, and Apples

Fondue-zie Fun!

This picture speaks for itself! Cousins, chocolate fondue, and what more could a child want for?!?

Things have been getting a bit hectic around here lately. My sister will be getting married in a couple of weeks, and it feels as though we're all pressing to squeeze in final arrangements with little time to do so. The kids have been blessed to reap somewhat of a benefit from all of the preparations: extra play time with their cousins! They've been so patient and flexible, as normal routines have been modified.

Our next gathering will be a Halloween party. I'm really looking forward to it! Both boys have invited friends, and cousins will be here too. We've planned a pizza party, followed by a trick-or-treating hay ride. Should provide some fun pictures for a future post.

Falling for Fall

Fall is my favorite time of the year! Well, at least for the moment. Spring's a close second; sometimes front-runner. Oh, and not to forget snowy Winter: snowmen, hot chocolate, and cookies! Well, maybe Summertime, and the beauty of the beach!

I've been spending my meager moments of free time decorating the house. I love the holidays, and decorating proves to be an outlet for me. Kind of a cleansing of my mind. It takes me away from the busyness of my daily routine, and allows me to drift somewhere far from the moment.

My thoughts, of late, have been centered around writing my first book. A novel of sorts. My head is filled with ideas, and I'm afraid if I don't start letting some of them free, my brain is going to explode! I've established a topic, and think it will be something that many women can relate to: trudging through the emotional aftermath of broken relationships. How we deal with our feelings in the moment, months following the loss, and the years after-the-fact, when the old feelings resurface; haunt our hearts.

I'm not sure whether or not I'll be able to publish the book though. It might have to be one of those post-humous deals. It depends! It will depend upon the content and way in which it relates to me, personally. If I can keep it at an arm's length, you'll see my name on it now. Otherwise, I'll become a ghost writer, or contemplate allowing the release upon my passing.

Curious? Good! Maybe I'll post a piece from my manuscript. Better get writing, now that my decorating is done!

Beautiful Intimacy

As I was driving my son to the bus stop last week, I was listening to a morning show, and just happened to hear a segment taken from an interview with a pastor in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Our local Christian radio station, New Life 91.9 was conducting an interview with Derwin Gray; a former NFL player. Derwin was introducing his new book : Hero.

That being said, Derwin referenced a word that we often use when referring to our relationships; intimacy. In our times of "text language", acronyms, and abbreviations, he broke down the word intimacy in a very unique way: "Into Me, You See".

I am such a visual and literal-thinker. Never, have I ever, experienced such a quick appreciation for a word. Christ longs for us to be intimate with Him. Even more so, He wants us to know Him from the inside out! He wants us to see into Him, for it's in His image we were created. We are to be new creations; reflections of Christ, found through our love and familiarity - intimacy - with, and for Him.

God was on a roll with me that day! While shopping at Hallmark, I came across what I thought to be the perfect gift bag and card for a very sweet friend of mine. The card said "Be-You-tiful". Again, YOU, me -- all of us, are creations in Christ! His image is in YOU. Each of us are beautiful! Therefore, we are called to Be-You-t0-the-ful(lest) for Him. :)

"... you are a new person, created in God's likeness --- righteous, holy, and true." Ephesians 4:24