The Post Christmas Post

Christmas has come and gone like a whirlwind around here. I do mean that literally. The wind has blowed like crazy and the rain has came. Thankfully the rain has went leaving at least a sunny picture from the window.

so...now...what....

I'm not the after Christmas shopper. 

I suppose it is possible to continue eating..

candy..cookies..leftovers..

mmm....

• I've caught up on some reading
• done some after Christmas clean-up
• checked out facebook for all cute family and friends pics
• I got a little crafty and made my daughter a hat
• looked at pinterest way to much
• Jack's been working the remote so we've caught up on Phineas and Ferb, Spongebob, etc...
• did I mention I've been trying to clean up the leftovers

Well honestly after so much wild and crazy family fun...

Here's a peek, it's starting to get crazy...

Can you tell we're not reserved?

No shortage of cute baby stuff.

Okay...here's where Mrs.Hyde takes over.

An idol mind is the devils workshop....

So now we can look at those pics that have been cut. 

You know the ones, the ones you wouldn't dare put on facebook

because 

somebody would surely put some unkind pics of you.

but...

How many of them really blog??

Don't look Ann!!

Don't tell..

Oh, Honey..What are you and baby boy talking over?

I love the boots but they don't go with the outfit.

Don't worry about you're hair Alisha set still and let me take this picture.

Here I am pictured in my best Christmas PJ's.

Pure Pandomonium

Mama being very careful.

Wake up Daddy see what's in the bag.

Yes..I'm lovin' the new look.

Aww...I didn't think you'd notice.

Come on..give me  a KISS.

They say if you stand this way you look thin and tall.

Not....

Now this has been alot of fun.

I hope you had fun too.

but..

If you never see another blog post by me LOOK at this picture very well.

I'm sure one of these will know what has become of me.

Is That The Old Ship of Zion

                         

I just had to share this song. I cut the radio on this morning and this song was what was playing. It's not the same folks singing it but the meaning is. I can't tell you how many times I've heard this song sung in church. I had great ambitions of finding the perfect old ship image to accompany it but I could find any thing that was quite right. I'm assuming that's because there's nothing comparison to that 

Old Ship of Zion.

If you have come  to understand what that ship of Zion is I'm so glad. If you know what it is and haven't gotten on board...I fear for you. It won't always pass again the opportunity is so easily lost. 

I find it funny how a song or melody can ignite feelings and thoughts. When I hear this song, along with other things it also makes me think of Noah and the Ark.(what a lesson there). 

For the past year or so I have been doing and online Torah study. Mainly for a deeper understanding of  my Bible and the scriptures. I can't tell you how much deeper it has brought me. 

I love it.

I recommend it.

At first I was a little apprehensive. I thought it might rock what I believed to be true but it didn't it only has brought me closer to God. Of course the study hit on the Noah and the Ark early on and the discussion about what an ark even is. So I thought I'd share just a few thoughts on and ark that I learned. 

It might interest you too...

• Ark is a vessel or sanctuary that serves as protection.
• When it is used in the Bible: Noah's Ark, Ark of the Covenant, Mose's in the Bulrush Ark.
• It is like a boat but is not a boat in the fact that it has no stern. 

This post might come across as mere rambling but here's a little more  I want to share

Matthew 24:36 & 37

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven but my Father only.

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Thank you for letting me ramble.

Thank your for letting me share. 

Thank you for stopping by.

Discovering the Old Testament, Torah Class

Old Mill Love/Mabry Mill

MABRY MILL is one of my favorite Patrick Country treasures.

This is no doubt on of my favorite places to just knock around. I enjoy going up on the parkway the way a teenager enjoys going to the mall.

The sun was shining like crazy here at the house so I thought it would be a great day to steal away up the mountain and work on my photo skills. Surprise, surprise I was fooled again by the time I made the quick drive, instead of sunny winter day everything had taken on a cold, winter grey.

I am going to boast that Mabry Mill is undoubtedly the most pictured mill ever.

(this is not confirmed...)

I see our beautiful mill everywhere. It's on greeting cards and calendars. I've seen it one postcards, painting, and various other artworks. Many times, it will be pictured as if it's connected with something or somewhere else but it's ours. That doesn't bother me because it's nice to know that others appreciate it's simple serenity.

Ducks on the pond

And I enjoy the different views 

of the old mill.

Here's a picture of the cabin where E.B. Mabry and his family lived.

Looks like it's time to mosey on down the road...

Sometimes window shop from this computer screen..

Sometimes I take a trip...

Thanks for tripping with me!!

http://www.virginia.org/Listings/HistoricSites/MabryMill/

Pics from Jack's Creek

Here's a few pictures that was taken a couple of weeks ago. 

Jack's Creek Covered Bridge 

is another one of Patrick Counties many treasures.

A hectic Christmas season and the resent tragedies have left me  a little wordless lately.

I have been saddened. 

I may be wordless but I'm not hopeless,

for  hope is in the Lord.

MARK 10:14-16 KJV

....Suffer(let) the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.

Christmas Trees and Candy Canes

Christmas  Tree 2012

My little helpers

My husband brought the tree in Saturday. By Sunday the tree had released it's branches from being wrapped up and Jack could not wait any longer. The decorating had to begin. You can see our tree is not one for a showcase and there is no these. Decorations the kids have made while in school and pieces that we pull out of the box every year adorn our Christmas. 

The tree is a little smaller than usual but in truth it's probably a better fit in our corner. Many years we trim it down to fit and the branches have still filled the entire room. Usually the kids and I have had our night of hot chocolate while stringing popcorn but this year has seemed hard to get anyone at home and together long enough to do it. I may string some later and add it. Either way I'm feeling a little melancholy about it. It seems that many of those things that we always done just don't seem to happen anymore. Maybe it's just time to start doing some new or at least different stuff.

DIY Fabric Candy Canes

About a week or two ago I had stopped in Grannies Attic, a local craft and vintage mall we have here in Stuart, and I saw a nifty bowl full of crafted candy canes. It had such a neat look to it that I had to make some for myself.

I found me a piece of striped fabric and I cut out a picture of a candy cane out of a coloring book that Jack had tossed off and I got to sewing. I already had the same bowl that was used with the display at the store.

I have worked on these a little each night before I would go into work and you can tell I need to make quite a few more before my bowl is full. 

..maybe I'll have this project completed by Christmas..

These candy canes did bring to mind the legend of the candy cane, so I thought I'd share it with you in case you hadn't heard it before.

The Candy Cane Story

A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would remind people of the true meaning of Christmas; so he made the candy cane to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises of God.

The candy maker then shaped his cane into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to the earth as Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down to to reclaim the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Like all legends..some parts of the story may not be all fact but it can still be a 

sweet reminder of  our Sweet Redeemer.

Thanks for stopping by 

May you be blessed today and throughout this Holiday Season.