Snow

We woke to snow this morning which made me very happy. There wasn't a large accumulation ~ just enough to make things beautiful and white.

I had a few errands to run this afternoon and very little time, so I only took a couple of photographs.

I love how these leaves stay red most of the winter. We have quite a few of these bushes in the yard and it is quite the WOW when it snows and you see the red against the snow.


Mr. Cardinal needed to rest for a while after eating too many of the seeds that I threw all over the front yard.

The Old One

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up, and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks, "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One? She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floot and replied, "Yes, I could use a pair of new boots." His arm slid defensively about The Old One's neck as he drew her near and with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.

The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but The Old One.

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife, back from calling for help, cradled him in her arms. Clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly, he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the Old Pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us."

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest. Looking up to the top of the hill, the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.

Seemingly, every glorious brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in respendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness, was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistened in the night light. Bedded down about The Old One, close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish

yearlings looked back at the crackling hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against The Old One as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife.

Those she loved, she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift.

Because of love. Only because of love.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy. And, again, the peace of love filled their hearts.

I received this beautiful story in an email and wanted to share it. During this beautiful Christmas season, let us remember what is truly important.

♥ audrey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Holly !!

Mom's Beautiful Christmas Tree

"O Christmas Tree,

O Christmas tree,

Your beauty green will teach me

That hope and love will ever be The way to joy and peace for me. O Christmas Tree,

O Christmas tree,

Your beauty green will teach me."

While my sister was here over Thanksgiving, we all had a hand in setting up Mom's Christmas tree and Nativity set for her. It looks beautiful and Mom enjoys sitting by the tree and looking at it each evening.

Our National Anthem

I've always been proud of being an American. I love this country and I feel blessed to call it home. I have sung the National Anthem many times in my life and when I hear it still, it always brings a tear to my eye. I received this link in an email today and I took the time to watch it. It was quite moving and I can honestly say when I hear our National Anthem for the rest of my life, I will remember this story. Watch it ~ you'll like it.
God Bless America!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Iwa-lSVqA1M&vq=medium

What is a Calorie?

Calories are the little creeps that get into your wardrobe at night and sew your clothes tighter.

******************************

My closet is infested with the little devils!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Anne !!

I thought I would share just a few things that you love....... I hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by the memory of all these things ~

with the exception of maybe the beer truck..... That little memory will be with some of us for a long time..... (:

Oh, I had to steal just a couple pictures from your blog ~ I didn't think you would mind since it was all in your honor.

I really hope you take the day off and go to lunch with a friend or do something with Gary in the evening. You've been working so hard on that church banner, you deserve a break!!!

HAVE A FUN BIRTHDAY, ANNE!!!! Make it one to remember!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ with love from your sisterfriend audrey

So Many Books

This bookcase is filled with books.

These bookcases are filled with books.

There are books by my bed.

Books in the bathroom.



Books in my studio.

Books on the floor.

And books in places I didn't take pictures of.

Guess what I did this weekend.

I went to a tag sale and bought a bookcase that is 8 feet long. My DH is picking it up tomorrow, so I've been spending the night rearranging the living room to make room for the new bookcase.

I guess now I'll have some room for MORE BOOKS!

What can I say?

I love books.

Night Beauty

Beauty

is

often

found

in

the

dark

of

night.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sierra !!

First Snow

SNOW!

SNOW!

BEAUTIFUL SNOW!

I Believe

This is a beautiful video well worth the time it takes to watch. I loved it. I think you will, too. Just click on the link.
♥
www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

December Blooms

Much to my surprise, over the last month my orchid grew another stem. About a week ago, new blooms opened up. I was under the impression orchids only bloomed once a year. Wrong.

I purchased this orchid in the Spring of this year at the grocery store. It was in a cart, looking very sad and broken, along with a few others. I had always stayed away from orchids because they are pricey and I always thought they were difficult to grow. This poor plant was marked down so low, I figured I would give it a happy home and see what the outcome might be.

I suppose it must be happy since it is blooming once again. I must be doing something right. It seems I need to do some research on orchids since I know very little about them. For now, I am enjoying its fragile beauty.