How can it be December already? With just days left until Christmas arrives, I confess that I am not ready for Christmas to be here this soon. Wasn't Fall and Thanksgiving just here "yesterday"? Well, it feels that way at least, and while we now have some snow, and the Christmas songs are playing, and it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas outside, I have not gotten "nary" a piece of Christmas decor up. I am debating whether I want to try to lug all the boxes from our storage for a couple of weeks display before lugging them back again. Anyone else facing the same decor struggle?
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| Well, it was just Thanksgiving a week ago! Our family gathered last Saturday for a meal and had a wonderful time together. Dan and I posed with our granddaughters for a fun photo shoot! We took a lot of pictures and had lots of laughs along the way! |
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| We enjoyed a post-Thanksgiving meal together. I made homemade chicken enchiladas, rice, salsa, and salad. The kids brought ice cream, and we had leftover Thanksgiving pie. |
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| Precious beyond words! |
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| I'm so thankful for our woodshed being full! We had finished filling it up this summer, and what a blessing it is to not have to worry about getting wood in after Dan had his heart attack. |
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| Riley and I have taken many snowy walks in the woods together. I find such peace in the solitude and quietness of the forest. |
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| We haven't gotten a lot of snow, but it has been enough to make everything pretty! |
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| Danika hasn't been feeling well this week. We think she may be teething. I've gone over several times to spend time with her so Danielle can rest. |
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| She was feeling pretty poorly, but I did manage to get her to sleep for a good nap. She is the best snuggler! She just wraps her arms around you! |
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| After Danika had fallen asleep and Danielle woke up from her nap, we made sourdough biscuits together. Danielle has decided to dip her toes into the sourdough world! They turned out wonderful too :) (The recipe for them is in my cookbook!) |
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| Our writing group held an author book signing event at a local coffee shop this past weekend. We had such a good time! The weather was very snowy/rainy, but we had a great turnout. |
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| I am blessed to lead this wonderful group of writers who have seen their dreams come true! Publishing your book takes a lot of work, and I have seen many of our writers in the group get published. |
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| This past Saturday afternoon, the skies cleared after all the rain/snow, and oh my goodness! The joy in my soul to see the colors in the skies, and on the trees! It was glorious!! |
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| Dan walked with us. He is feeling stronger every day! |
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| Look at all the gold on those trees! Fleeting... just for a few moments, but it was truly special to be in our woods with the trees lit up brighter than any Christmas tree ever could be! |
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| The clouds in the sky relayed the message from the sun - glorious radiance and brilliant colors! |
Sunset's Golden Gift
I’m rich, beyond measure
Wouldn’t you agree?
Embracing sunset’s golden gift
As it dances across the trees
A gift that keeps on giving
Long after in darkness it flees
Because it lives in my heart
A song of hope and peace
And there it lies
A message from God just for me.
My peace I give, not of this world,
Peace that comes just as gold on the trees
Spreading for a moment,
Enough to believe
That shadows cannot hide
The sunset’s golden trees.
Have you seen sunset’s golden trees? It is something we
often get to enjoy here in the mountains as the sun sets, and although I’ve
seen it often, each time is special, and I don’t take it for granted. I
treasure these moments in my heart, and I know they are God’s special gifts for
those who look up and see!
Look up and around you today - and maybe you will see -
something special God has prepared just for you - it could be sunset in the
trees, or a cloud in the sky. His gifts are not always ones we expect, and
sometimes you just have to don your coat and go see what He has prepared! Look
for His gifts, I know they are there - His love story awaits, His glory He
wants to share.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9
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I absolutely loved your poem, Marilyn! Yes, like you, I love those moments when God seems to be speaking directly to us through His incomparable creation. I've done little to no Christmas decorating here, either, but hope to get on it this week. Glad Dan is doing so well! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Martha! You and Danny are always in our prayers. I know we share similar cardiac struggles! Wishing you both wonderful things in 2026!
DeleteBeautiful photos of nature and babies! They are all a precious gift. I'm so glad Dan is gaining strength.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Mari, our grandbabies are so precious! Merry Christmas!
DeleteAs a tree lover, I loved your tree photos. Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing such beauty.
ReplyDeleteSlowly we trickle in some Christmas decorations - Hopefullu, just enough and not overdone. I don't enjoy when we have to take it all down again. So much work.
You have a beautiful family.
The older I get the less energy I have for all the Christmas decor. We just did a little bit here, and it was enough to make our home feel festive with all my nativity scenes. Those are the most important thing I like to put out every year. Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteLove the photos you captured of the gold highlights on the trees. So beautiful. You know it is okay to not to a lot of decorating some years. You have so much to enjoy and celebrate with new birth and renewed life! I remember the year my sister-in-law passed away and we traveled to Southern California for her funeral in December. That was a year of a very simple Christmas. How nice that Dan could take a walk with you.
ReplyDeleteWe are thankful to be walking together again. God's mercy is so good to us! There are tough years that we have, but still, we see the goodness and mercy of the Lord at work among us! Merry Christmas!
DeleteThe perfect title Marilyn, for this post. The golden highlights are so stunning and makes for a wonderful photo. Love is spoken well here..
ReplyDeleteThank you dear friend, your faithful visits and words always encourage me! Blessings to you!
Delete"A song of hope and peace
ReplyDeleteAnd there it lies
A message from God just for me.
My peace I give, not of this world"
Your poem says it so well, Marilyn. God's creation surely breathes hope! Thank you for the encouraging poem and all the beautiful photos! Love, hugs, and blessings to you!
Thank you so much, dear Trudy! Your kind words mean so much to me! God's creation brings healing to my soul and mind so many times. He speaks so clearly to us through it! Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteI love seeing sunsets golden trees! I'm glad Dan is doing so well. Your granddaughters are adorable and there is nothing better than grandchild cuddles, is there? Many blessings Marilyn! Your posts are such an inspiration to me!
ReplyDeleteThere really is nothing better than precious grandbaby cuddles! Oh how I love them! Thank you for your visit and kind words! Merry Christmas!
DeleteGlad to hear your husband is getting stronger and recovering well. The photo of you two with your grandbabies is beautiful and precious!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marie, we are rejoicing in every moment this season! Merry Christmas!
DeleteMarilyn it sounds like a lovely December, so glad Dan is feeling well. Enjoy those cuddles and put up just what makes you happy for Christmas. Decorating can be exhausting!
ReplyDeleteIt's true. The older I get, the more I am simplifying all things, including decor! Less to clean and maintain! Merry Christmas to you dear friend!
DeleteLovely post, Marilyn!
ReplyDeleteI have been down lately, but you're right: there's always the blessings of God and surprises that He gives us. :)
Baby Clara is beautiful! What a blessing to have 2 sweet granddaughters! So sorry Danika hasn't been feeling well; I pray that her pain will ease during the teething.
And continued praise that Dan is recovering very well!
Beautiful pictures, Marilyn!!! And I love your poem!
May God bless you all,
Valentine
Thank you for your faithful visits to my blog, Valentine! Your comments and visits are such a blessing! We thank you for your prayers for Dan! He is doing much better, and we are so grateful! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
DeleteHow lovely to be able to spend time with both of your children and their families. The girls are both such sweet little dolls. Poor Danika. Teething is not an easy time. I used to be the only one who could get Piper to be calm enough to sleep when she was small. We leave on Wednesday for London to spend Christmas with our son and his little family. The departure date crept up on me quickly and I just started packing today! I'm talking Papa's favorite sugar cookie recipe and cookie cutters. I've ne ver had the opportunity to bake Christmas cookies with our 3 year old granddaughter before. We're looking forward to making lots of memories and experiencing our first Boxing Day!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that Dan is able to do some walking with you now. We're still praying for him and you too.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I hope you are having such a special time in London this year, dear Betsy! So very exciting that you are going to be in London for Christmas! We appreciate your prayers so very much, and thank you for them! Dan is doing better every day, and we praise the Lord for it all! Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteOh, dear friend! This post just warmed my heart! I am SO thankful Dan is improving and getting stronger. Oh, God is so good to have left him with you and to allow you to continue your beautiful life together! I loved seeing all the photos, and your poem is so beautiful. I love and appreciate you and pray God will continue to bless you and your family and send complete healing and restoration to Dan, in Jesus' name.
ReplyDeleteThank you for each and every prayer you have prayed! It means so very much to us, and we are so thankful for the goodness of the Lord in our lives during this season. Your words are always a blessing and minister to my heart! Love and appreciate you so very much! Merry Christmas!
DeleteSuch a beautiful post sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you...how is it possible the Christmas is upon us?
I don't put up many decorations either. The putting up and taking down is a lot of work.
I do like a couple of Wintery things I can keep out until Spring comes along. Like twinkle lights to keep the dark days warm. You are such a delight. Thank you for sharing your lovely poem and uplifting words.
The Lord is good and His mercies are new every morning. There's always so much to be grateful for.
It is hard to believe Christmas has now come and gone... how fast the days are passing! Your comments and words are such a blessing to me. You always encourage with your words! The Lord is indeed so good, and we give Him praise every day! We have so much to be grateful for! Merry Christmas to you dear friend!
DeleteOh Marilyn! I just love your poem and the forest and trees pics. And those grandbabies...so very precious. My girls used to get runny noses when teething (their first 4 teeth anyways, after that it was easy). I remember when they were getting their 2 yr old molars, the ped said to let them have juice pops to ease the pain. it worked! I love walking in the forest as well. I did a snow hike with my closest friends last weekend and it was lovely. so peaceful. I feel so connected to the Lord when i'm in the woods or on a mountain summit. I loved the devotional book you sent me that your friend wrote. the homespun one. I'm actually raffling it off tonight at my small group xmas party. And I've used some of your recipes from your cookbook! Have a very Merry Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteDear Faith, thank you so much for these encouraging words, it means so much to get feedback on the cookbook, and so thankful that you are passing along the blessing of Cheryl's book! We are so blessed in so many rich and wonderful ways, and one of them is snow. I dearly love the snow, and so glad to hear you enjoyed a hike in it as well! Much love to you dear friend! Merry Christmas!
DeleteSuch beautiful photographs showing nature, family and your grandbabies ... so sweet.
ReplyDeleteGood to read that Dan is progressing well and gaining strength.
I did enjoy your poem, Sunset's Golden Gift.
Early good wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas.
All the best Jan
Thank you for your faithful visits and comments, dear Jan! Merry Christmas to you! I know this will be a hard year for you without your beloved Eddie. Remembering and praying for you!!
DeleteHello, I am so happy to read Dan is gaining strength.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely poem.
I enjoyed all the photos.
Sending get well prayers for little one.
Carla
Thank you for your faithful prayers, dear friend! What a blessing your friendship has been! Love your Christmas card this year, so beautiful! Merry Christmas to you!
Deletesuch wonderful family time, that teething can be some rough stuff, hope she feels better soon, so nice you can be there to help out at times like that.So nice you were prepared with all the wood, good to have things done in advance :) I just finished today decorating, not everything went up but it has that feeling of Christmas :) I am lucky that mine is all stored in the garage so I don't have far to bring it into the house.
ReplyDeleteLoved your poem, it is so special when we can feel God speaking to us through his creation.
Teething is such a difficult season. Always one thing or another with babies and children! I am so thankful I can help out when I can! It is a good feeling to get everything ready for Christmas! Thank you for the sweet words about the poem. I agree, I love to be out in His creation, that is where I feel so close to Him! Many blessings to you! Merry Christmas!
DeleteYour photographs of the winter scenery are so tranquil and beautiful. It is so precious to spend time with grandbabies! It is so good to hear your husband is doing well and getting better. That woodpile is a comfort!! God bless!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your dear visit, Mrs. White! We have so much to be grateful for, and indeed, having a nice warm cozy wood fire means so much to us! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
DeleteLovely photos. Good to hear Dan is feeling better and wonderful that you are close enough and able to swing by and help with Danika. Family is so important.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, Hena - having family close by is such a blessing! Many blessings to you dear friend!
DeleteI wish dear Daniel speedy recovery from teething dear Marilyn 🙏🥹
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so blessed and beautiful soul 🥰
Congratulations on leading writer group 🤗👍
Your fun photo with granddaughters is priceless 🥹♥️♥️♥️
I am thankful you have lots of wood for winter my friend 😊
I loved your poem full of deep love for creator and his creations 🥹🥹🥹
Yes taking granted is sin ,we should look around and we can find His love bursting from His creations around us 🥹🙏♥️
Thank you for this wonderful visit, dear Baili! You are such a treasured friend, and I appreciate your kind words remarking on my post. It means so much to me! So much to see in the world around us that glorifies our Lord, and our praises ring out to Him! Many blessings to you dear friend!
DeleteYour family is beautiful and those grands...so sweet! Dan looks great and so do you. I'm happy to hear you encourage the writers in your neck-of-the-woods. You are an amazing friend. Thank you for the Christmas card. I love it so much and your poem above, too. I have learned about "glimmers." They are the opposite of triggers in our days. They are those special moments where we feel joy, peace and gratitude. So I'm training my brain to look out for the glimmers and these tiny moments will appear more and more! Thank you for all the glimmers you give me every time I connect with you. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful for your visit here, Mary! I'm glad you got the Christmas card, and appreciate your love and prayers and generous heart so much! I love your words about "glimmers". It is so true. We must focus on the glimmers, and not the triggers! I appreciate your kind words, they mean so very much to me! Merry Christmas to you dear friend!
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