Snowy Morning & Christmas Memories

Snow on our patio chairs, this morning. We expect to see another 5 or so inches before the snow ends, early Sunday morning. Molly certainly enjoys seeing snow. She loves to romp around and roll around in the white stuff! She's outdoors, as I type, having the time of her life!
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I've been tagged by Sher of Sher's Creative Expressions. I'm to list twelve things about myself, with Christmas as the theme.

I've included several black and white photos. Some are from Christmas, with our Grandchildren, 2006.

1. Christmas is my favorite of all holidays. The reason for the celebration is what makes it so special to our family.

2. When I was a child, just about everyone, I knew went to the country, to cut a tree, for Christmas. In southwest Missouri, a Cedar Christmas Tree, graced most homes, in those days.

3. One Christmas Tree, stands out in my memory, in particular. Most of my childhood Christmases were spent with Grandad and Granny. We seldom had a tree in our own home. One year, when I was about 16 years old, we decided to have a tree at home. My sister and I, along with several friends, found a huge old Cedar and brought it to our tiny home. Alas, we had no ornaments or lights! We were resourceful, my sister and I ! We returned soda bottles, found here and there and used the deposit money to buy a can of snow spray. With the help of our friends, we managed to secure the tree in a makeshift stand and sprayed it with the canned "snow". With some of our soda bottle money, we purchased tinsel icicles and carefully placed them on our tree. That tree was gorgeous. It certainly was a tree I'll never forget. It's only adornment, the tinsel and snow and it's wonderful fragrance.

4. At the age of seven I was one of the tiniest Angels in our church Christmas program, my 4 year old sister was the other. Even though I was only 7, at the time, I've not forgotten the program, my wings and halo or the wonderful music.

5. Many times we celebrate Christmas a few days early. Our children are able to visit other family, without the stress of going from home to home to home on Christmas Day.

6. A scavenger hunt for a special gift, is often included in our Christmas festivities. It's fun to write the clues and wrap them in pretty packages, then watch the gift recipient search the house for more clues and finally the gift!

7. Our Christmas menu usually consists of Clam Chowder, Appetizers and Dessert.

8. Each year, our family eagerly awaits the "game". Each person brings 5 inexpensive gifts. A gag gift is always included. We pile the beautifully wrapped gifts in the center of the floor or the big farmhouse table, in the breakfast room. Dice is rolled to determine who takes a gift. Our version requires a 7 or 11 to choose a gift and doubles to rob your neighbor. At the end of the game, we always make sure, each of us has the same amount of gifts. After opening these packages, the game continues, with a gift swap. It's fun to see all the bartering!

9. Christmas Eve is a special time for church services.

10. A special memory, Mother reading the Christmas Story, from the Bible.

11. Last night, I once again enjoyed one of my favorite Christmas movies, It's a Wonderful Life. No matter how many times I see this movie, I still laugh, cry and enjoy seeing it, as if it was the first time.

12. Last, but certainly not least, J and I met just after Thanksgiving, 1982. Another reason to celebrate this special time of year.

This photograph was taken by Xanti, who has an amazing natural gift for photography. Drew seems to be watching for Santa Claus.

This is one of my favorite photos of Gabi, last Christmas. It's absolutely unposed. She picked up the ornament from a candleholder on the hearth. Luckily, I had the camera ready!

Our beautiful Xanti, wearing her Princess Santa hat.

Our newest Grandchild, Noah. We eagerly await his first Christmas!

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I'm tagging Andrea Adriann Julie Sue Rosalie

Please post 12 things about yourself, with Christmas as the theme, for the Holiday Hoopla Tag, then tag several others for the challenge.

Merry Christmas!!

A Natural Tag

Sandi at the Whistlestop has challenged me to a tag of creatively writing blog friends' names. The use of natural wonders was the suggestion. While not among the 7 Natural Wonders of the World...the Ozarks, to me, is definitely a natural wonder. My first challenge is to Andrea of Southern Heart. You see her name written in the clouds over the Ozarks.

The Lake of the Ozarks may be man made, but the hills are naturally God made and a wonder in their own right. Donna's name is written over the hills around Lake of the Ozarks.

This photo and the next four are scenes around our old farm. We were there, the other day. That was my first return visit in almost four years. The farm no longer looks like these photos, so I don't believe I will be making another visit.

I've written Mary's name along the lane that led to our home in the back pasture.

This is a view of the lane looking toward the front of the farm and away from the back pasture. We were 3/4 of a mile from the highway and our mailbox. Joyce's name is written here.

Sue's name is written in a Trumpet Vine, that grew on one of the farm sheds.

This is the lane in winter, going toward our home. Just around the curve, was the back pasture. Chris' name is written in the field beside the fence.

The lane at just the beginning of Autumn. This is the scene I painted for J's lodge room. You can see Deb's name here.

In all the years we lived on the farm, we were snowed in only one time and that was for 4 days, in 1999. This is the lane going away from the back pasture, with Jen's name written at the side.

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My challenge to creatively write 8 blog friends' names, using natural wonders, goes to these very talented and creative bloggers. After creating your designs be sure to challenge those blogging friends.

Andrea: http://truesouthernheart.blogspot.com/

Donna: http://thedecoratedhouse.blogspot.com/

Mary: http://devondesigns-mary.blogspot.com/

Joyce: http://brooksidecottage.blogspot.com/

Sue: http://countrypleasures.blogspot.com/

Chris: http://notesfromasomersetgarden.blogspot.com/

Deb: http://posted-from-home.blogspot.com/

Jen: http://www.thecottagenest.blogspot.com/

J's Lodge and a Tag

The painting is one of mine. The scene is the lane, that led to our home in the back pasture of the farm. The brightly colored tree was the first to turn, each autumn. The farm was sold, four years ago. A subdivision is being developed. We watch each fall to see if the "red" tree is still there, along the creek. It has survived, so far. The binoculars and case, sitting on the cabinet, belonged to J's great aunt.
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The grid shows different areas of J's lodge, in the lower level of our home. Many of the furnishings were collected over a lifetime. They were stored in the attic and garage of our farm home, for several years. The table, we use for games and meals, is decorated with postcards, under glass. The cards are from family and friends and a few from our travels. The "log cabin" sits in a window, beside the fireplace. It is made from salvaged wood from the restoration of a building in old St Charles, MO. The small black milk stool, that sits beside the armoire, in the lower right photo, was used by J, when he was a child. A hickory limb table and two small foot stools were made by a friend, who lives in the Ozarks. There are two Mission style rocking chairs, near the fireplace, that belonged to J's grandparents. The coffee table has a "carved" Trout stream under glass. There are several Moose images around the room. J's nickname is Moose.
There is a bar in one corner of the room, with several old neon lights. A cabinet holds J's collection of steins, that number over 100. Another cabinet holds memorabilia from J's 40 year career as a Lineman.

When our home was presented on the Garden Club Christmas Tour, 2006. The most popular room was J's lodge. That was not a surprise, since we know it's a favorite of family and friends.

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The fern stand in this photo, was made by Granddad almost 50 years ago. The creel is new. The pack basket belonged to a friend, who actually used it for it's intended purpose, over 60 years ago. There are two prints, of watercolors, above. These depict scenes from beautiful Bennett Spring State Park (MO).

The "lodge" is filled with memories and well loved keepsakes. It's warm, comfortable and a favorite place to relax.

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I was tagged by willzmom, to pick up the book nearest me and turn to page 28. I am to write here, about paragraph 3. I decided to pick up the book on my nightstand. It's an old favorite. I've written here, about this book, before. The Foxfire Book, originally published in 1968. My decision to write about J's lodge today, is linked to my tag book choice.

The paragraph reads:

An' picked blackberries'n'strawberries. Always had somethin' t'eat. Pickeled beans'n' everthin'. Why, we've pickled beans in a twenty gallon barrel; but I ain't got any this year. Groundhogs eat m'beans up an' I never had nary one t'pick. I had two bushel baskets full'a cans, an' I took 'em out there an' poured 'em in th' groundhog's hole an' took a stick an' beat'em in. An' you know, that groundhog left an' never did come back. Couldn't bear them rattlin' things. Just couldn't stand 'em (laughing). This paragraph is from the chapter about a mountain woman called Aunt Arie, written in her words.

The book is dedicated to the people of Appalachia.

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If you would like to write about paragraph 3 of page 28, in a book nearby, please do. I'd love to read what you write!