Counting Down…

Y’all know Christmas will be here before we know it, right? It’s just over 100 days from now and that will pass in the blink of an eye! I’ve been working on Christmas cards off and on for a couple of weeks now and they’re almost done so I didn’t mind taking a break from them this weekend and working on something else Christmasy. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to some friends and the subject of an advent calendar came up. We concluded that it was either a regional or cultural (based on religion) thing when we were growing up since a couple of us didn’t have them then, but others did. I did them with my kids though so maybe it’s something that became commercialized? I have one that I’ve used for years. It’s a Santa with little pockets for candy or whatever you want to put in them. I’ve been wanting to change it and do something different for several years but haven’t. I have, however, had an idea rolling around in my head for a while and after that conversation the other day, I decided it was time. And this weekend was a perfect opportunity since KB was out of town for a ham radio event.

I pulled out all of my Christmas stamps which was many more than I expected since I don’t use but one stamp a year for my cards.  There was a little worry in the back of my mind that I wouldn’t have enough to make 25 different pockets. Ummmm, that was NOT a problem! In fact, I was shocked to discover that I had enough Unity stamps to do the whole thing without duplication. I’ve been a fan of Unity since I discovered them several years ago and have quite a collection started. So, I started stamping them up and then coloring them with my Copic markers. I fussy cut them and mounted them on different Christmas papers along with numbers 1-25. I used small kraft bags from Hobby Lobby as the base for all of them because you know, candy! 

I used a 17 X 23 bulletin board, also from Hobby Lobby, as the foundation. I covered the cork part with red wrapping paper and the frame with plaid Christmas ribbon. I used Scor tape to adhere the wrapping paper and glue dots and score tape for the ribbon. I stapled the ribbon hanger to the back.  Plain old clear push pins with a green ribbon tied into a bow around them hold each bag in place. The bags are big enough for 3-4 Reese’s miniatures or a couple of Snicker’s minis. Or maybe an activity suggestion for the day.  We’ve done that before, too. 

I am so, so happy with the end result. I love it when an idea transfers from my mind to reality so well. It’s a rare thing around here.  Now, I’m all ready for the Countdown to Christmas starting December first!

Christmas was on its way. Lovely, glorious. Beautiful Christmas, upon which the entire kid year revolved. A Christmas Story

Opening Day of Dove Season

Saturday was opening day of dove season in Alabama. For our family, it’s a tradition that we look forward to almost as much as football season or even Christmas.  It’s a tradition that started a lot of years ago when my brother-in-law invited a few friends and family members over for an opening day shoot.  It was very casual and laid back and everyone had a good time. We didn’t attend those first few years because we lived too far away to come for the weekend.  We had to reserve our trips for holidays and summer when we could stay longer. 

My father-in-law loved the dove hunt. He loved having the family together and sharing something he enjoyed with his sons and grandchildren. He passed away in 2010 and now we dedicate the hunt to his memory every year.  I think KB managed to get back a couple of times and hunt but our whole family didn’t start attending until 2012. That was the year that we moved to PA and were close enough to go for the weekend.  All or most of of us have been able to go every year since. 

We all converge at my brother-in-law’s house early and have lunch. Then we head over to the dove field and spread out  along the edges and wait for the doves to fly in.  That’s where I was as I was typing this. I didn’t get back to good internet until today to post it.  This was my view most of the day.

Over the years the hunt became bigger as all of the kids grew up and invited friends. The last several years it’s become more family than friends but we still have a couple of close family friends that come.  This year we have two little ones that really made the day even more fun than usual.

Unfortunately, this year my kids weren’t able to be there due to work and a sick fur baby but things happen in life…that’s just how it is. We really hated that they weren’t there but we all had a good time anyway and almost everyone got their limit.  The first year I attended, I took my camera because I would rather shoot pictures of people shooting doves than shoot the doves themselves. Every year since, it’s sort of been my thing. We’re already looking forward to next year!

“The memories we make with our family is everything.” – Candace Cameron Bure.

O Christmas Tree…and the Red, White, and Blue

When I went to my first scrapbook retreat seven years ago, one of the things I loved about the place was this huge Christmas tree that she had in the living room.  We were there the weekend before Thanksgiving but she didn’t already have her tree up for Christmas. She had it decorated for autumn/Thanksgiving! It was so beautiful and she told me that she kept it up all year and decorated it for the different seasons/holidays. I’ve wanted a year round tree ever since. I’ve never been able to do it because I don’t have a good place for one. But earlier this year, I decided that I could have one…a small one. I don’t have to have a full size tree to be able to have a holiday tree all year. 

It’s not an easy thing to find a Christmas tree in the spring but I did. I found one at a local thrift store and was so excited! It’s even pre-lit. I got it up right before Memorial Day and decorated it with a patriotic theme. It’s been up all summer with red, white, and blue garland and ornaments, and American flags. Summer is bracketed by Memorial Day and Labor Day with the 4^th of July right in the middle, so the patriotic theme is perfect for summer. 

I’ve loved having it up; it’s been a bright spot during these last several months that we’ve been staying home more. It brightens up the house and makes me smile every day.  

Christmas lights instantly make me feel eight years old again.

Calendar Catch Up…July and August

Today I’m going to finish getting my calendars caught up! But first, I want to announce the winners from my Growing In Unity Week. They are Nikki Kittrell and Amy Williams. Congratulations!! They are the lucky winners of a grab bag of 25 Unity stamps for commenting on my posts last week.

Now, for the calendars…July was done by one of my dearest friends and just happens to be the one that organizes the calendar swap. It is a fabulous celebration of the holiday that July is known for…the 4th of July! Don’t you love that skyline and those fireworks?!

For August, it’s a simple topper with a quote that really spoke to me. “Set sail in the direction of your dreams”. I’m working chasing some dreams this year and I just love that quote! It was very timely for me. A friend in Boston made this one and one of the things that is so amazing to me about it? She underwent a heart transplant two years ago and has faced a lot of challenges and issues due to it in the time since. Yet, she managed to participate in the exchange last year and did an marvelous job!

Although each month is unique and the styles and techniques are different, I love every one of the pages. They make me smile and think of the person that made them every time I see them.

Time moves slowly but passes quickly. 

Taps

Day is done, gone the sun, 
From the hills, from the lake, 
From the skies. 
All is well, safely rest, 
God is nigh. 

You may not know the words, but I can assure you, you know the music.  It’s only 24 notes long and it brings chills every time I hear it. Bet it does for you, too.  These are the words to Taps, the bugle call that is played at military funerals and memorials.  It’s also played at the end of the day in US military installations all over the world, and is known to military personnel as ‘Lights Out’.  This weekend we are celebrating and remembering those that have given their lives for this country. If you’re paying attention or watching the news at all, you’ll hear it played at least once this weekend. 

Do you know where Taps originated?  According to several official sites (and the History Channel), we owe it to a Union General during the Civil War.  General Daniel Butterfield didn’t particularly care for the melody that was being played at the time; he felt it was too formal. So, he wrote some notes on the back of an envelope which were a revision of a current (at the time) bugle call called Tattoo, and then had his bugler try them out. They tweaked them a bit and that night, Oliver W. Norton, the company bugler, played it for Light Out. 

The first time it seems to have been used for funerals seems to have been during the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia (Civil War). A captain was worried that the traditional three volley shot would renew fighting with the nearby enemy troops, so he ordered Taps played instead to honor the fallen man.  It wasn’t until 1891 that it was officially adopted as the tune to be played at military funerals. 

Although the above words are not the official words -there aren’t any-they are the most popular version of words put to the music.  To me, the words aren’t the thing I remember about Taps. It’s the melancholy sound of the notes floating across the air. It’s the amazing way that instrument can produce such feeling. It’s the pride and respect it conveys for the fallen. It is a final goodbye that lingers in the ear and on the heart. 

Tomorrow at 3 pm (your time zone whatever it is), buglers all over the country will step out of their front door and play Taps to pay tribute to fallen service members.  I will step out on my front deck and listen. I sure hope I have someone in my neighborhood that will be playing! 

Easter Memories

Normally, on Easter Sunday, if we were ‘home’ (in Alabama) we would gather at my grandmother’s for fabulous food, eggs hunts, and those dratted family pictures that almost everyone hates but tolerates because it’s important to some. This year is so different and  it feels odd to not be together.  But, we all have to do the right thing and stay home because the last thing any of us want to do is bring this stupid virus into Nanny’s house! 

I have such wonderful memories of Easter over the years.  Of course, when we were little, we got all dressed up and went to church and then we would have dinner at one of the grandparents’ houses. Then we’d go to the other grandparent’s house. Someone would hide eggs for us kids and  we’d have so much fun finding them. Even when it rained and we had to hide them inside. One year my  uncle -who is still the master at hiding the eggs where they’re hard to find-hid one behind the pillow on the sofa. We looked and looked all over that sofa for it! It fell down between the back of the sofa and the cushion and it was several days later before it was found because it had started to smell.  LOL I think that may have been the last year we used real eggs inside. We would almost always have to play the hot and cold game to find that last egg. 

Everyone has their traditional meals or foods they eat on holidays and we are no different. Our traditional meal is not that much different than any other time we were together for a holiday except ham would be the meat instead of turkey or roast. But, the desserts…coconut cake was the Easter dessert. I wasn’t a fan as a kid but oh, how I’d love  to have one this  year! My mother would make one in the shape of a bunny.  Y’all have probably seen the recipe for it making the rounds on Facebook. She was doing that 50 years ago!

This year, we’re all staying home and watching church on tv or our computers.  Our church here had a drive in church this morning and it was great! We had over 100 cars attend. We honked our horns in response and as our way to participate in the service. It was fun. The pastor brought a great message and our praise team sang several songs. One of the songs we sang was Because He Lives. It brought back wonderful memories of my great aunt and uncle singing at family get togethers. That was one they would sing. Rise Again is another one. I get goosebumps thinking about it. 

In years to come, this Easter will be one we’ll talk about because it’s so different  than any other Easter we’ve ever experienced. But, just because we aren’t doing the  things we usually do, the meaning of why we celebrate hasn’t changed. The tomb is empty and Jesus, our Redeemer and Savior lives.  “He is not here; he has risen!” Luke 24:6  That’s the best thing we can remember about Easter!  

My Easter card this year.