Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Country Barn Bazaar......

  My husband and I have lived in this area for awhile.  We've driven the same highway to get to town for quite some time....and know all the landmarks between here and there.  Now, for these past years, there's been a little hollow I drive past.  It can be seen from the road and it looks very quaint and inviting.  To the side of this wonderful place, trees...trees and more trees.  Inside the large grove, a little red house and a quaint barn.  The driveway looks to be a quarter to a half mile....  I have always wanted to drive down it...to see what "something wondrous" lies in that hollow... 
   Well, I won't tell you how excited I was to see this sign on the highway two days ago....serious!  And....the sign pointed down the very driveway I've always wanted to go.   I told my husband about it....and waited impatiently for Saturday.
  Well.....today IS Saturday, and I am blogging about it, so it must've been good!!!!
  This morning, I grabbed my munchkins and headed to the Country Barn Bazaar.

We eagerly followed the signs.


The Driveway!
Oh, so pretty!
Pass the old coop...
 I was so excited when we rounded the last corner!!  This adventure was panning out!!!  Pumpkins everywhere! 
Here we are!!!  And....this place is so pretty!


A hay wagon full of pumpkins!







  Standing outside the door, scents of cinnamon and spices lingered on the air.  The rustic sound of a fiddle playing Away in the Manager...and a kitchen baking yummy treats.  This driveway is one I plan on driving down again!
















  A barn complete with a rustic little bakery!!   Squash soup, carmeled apples, pumpkin breads, fudge, cookies, cinnamon and chocolate!!!  Homemade jams and lots of samples!!!  Yum!!!
  My kids managed to acquire a couple carmeled apples, of which they were quite happy.





  We wandered around for some time.  A photographer out back took pictures for $25.00 per family.  This little bazaar was complete with almost everything. 


  ....Even a washtub...

  I no longer have to wonder what goes on down in the little hollow....but I am afraid I may get in trouble for trespassing....  I want to go back!!!! 
  I also learned this little place was recently purchased by our neighbors one road down...and I don't think they'll mind if I show up every now and again.....to soak up the sun and sit on the steps of their little red barn....(I hope).

Friday, October 21, 2011

Movies....3D Style

  My kids are blessed with people that love them.  They were given the opportunity last weekend to watch a movie (AT THE THEATER) with some family friends.  Of course they were excited!  They had actually only been to a theatre 2 times before this....  We sensor what our kids watch AND the theater is not cheap (a $50.00 dollar bill every time)...and that's excluding popcorn!  So....going to the theatre is a huge treat for them.
  My husband and I were comparing notes however and realized that the 2 most recent shows (within 4 years) they've seen were 3D.  3D movies are totally unique.  My children probably don't realize movies in the theatre aren't always 3D.  I hadn't thought of that until then.  My children probably think 3D glasses are a requirement for the movie theatre.  So......as it was, my son came home with his 3D glasses very excited.  He puts them on every now and again....maybe hoping something will happen around our house

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Blue and Orange Inspiration

A Saturday afternoon....just before the BIG game. Blue and Orange: Inspiration.  Fun.  Exercise.  Competition.  Tackling.  Tackling.  And.....Tackling.    

The Pre-Game Show:
Got It!
Mid-Air....
For You, Sis!
The Girls' Got Game!
Nice Catch!
Block or Tackle??
Definitely Tackle.
Heisman Hopeful
The Winner Got the Prize.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

From His Life.....

  It's Thursday morning, and my munchkins are still sleeping. Its raining outside...the coffee pot is brewing.  A warm blanket and some time to myself to read my Bible.  I've been reading in the book of John and have come to the Crucifixion.  This part is always hard for me to read.  Its an account of torture....torture and ultimate death that happened...because of me.  Thank the Lord it also includes resurrection because even though death is involved, life prevails. 
  The last week, my kids have been working through the book of Luke...and Jesus birth.  Two opposite ends of the spectrum: Jesus birth and Jesus death.  I have been sitting and pondering His life....the beginning and end and was struck by something.  I was struck by the humbleness of it all. 
  Jesus was born in a stable (which by historical account was actually a cave).  His parents were poor...His mama had no pre-natal care....no epidural....no mid-wife....and did not hit any sales on baby clothes at The Children's Place.....or even Walmart.  Strips of cloth...the only thing available...were the first things to cloth Jesus.  He had no Huggies diaper's.  Wipees were still a thing of the future.  Chances are Jesus didn't smell like cucumber and melons or lavender.  There was no micro-fiber baby blanket either....  As His parents were poor they couldn't afford anything.  Jesus was swaddled with rags and probably wrapped only in the loving arms of His parents and cloaks.  He was loved, however, He was cherished.
  God, because He was Jesus Father, saw it fit to place Jesus in the arms of a "single" mother.  Now, she wasn't really a single mom....she was married to Joseph.  She had a husband, but he was not Jesus biological father.   Did Joseph love Jesus like his own?  Probably.  But, Jesus had a step-dad.  And...Jesus father, God, loved Him beyond comprehension...and didn't leave Him.  But for earthly purpose, Jesus had an earthly step-dad.  Using earthly eyes, Jesus was born into a less than desirable situation (and I am sure many gossiped about Mary, Joseph and Jesus).  Mary and her "illegitimate" son.  Mary, a teen mom.  Joseph...who didn't stone her when given the opportunity...really must have a part in Mary's "sin".  People have always thrown stones, and I am sure many were thrown at Jesus' young, small family.
  Because I am reading the Crucifixion account my next thoughts fly to Jesus death.  Jesus death was also wrought with controversy and gossip.  Jesus death was beyond humiliating.....
  The torture Jesus endured was beyond comprehension.  I can't fathom what it must have been like.  Jesus death wasn't by simple injection or a quick gun shot wound to the head.  Jesus death was drawn out, painful, bloody, and disgusting.  He had a crown made of thorns thrust upon His head.  These thorns weren't little either.  These thorns, like little knives, were pushed with force, down upon His skull.  Jesus was beaten...and not a small beating.  He was beaten with his hands tied to a post....his upper garments removed and a whip tied with small bits of sharp bone and rocks.  The Jewish law at that time allowed for up to 40 lashes with a scourge (cat of nine tails as it's sometimes called).   A wooden cross was made (in which Jesus was forced to carry himself until physically unable)...  Golgotha, The Place of the Skull, Jesus was stripped, naked.  In pictures depicting the Crucifixion, it prudently shows Jesus wearing a loin cloth.  In John 19:23, it states the soldiers took Jesus clothes, including His under garments.  He was nailed to a wooden beam, naked.    This picture is gruesome and difficult to think about.  But, it is eye witness account of what Jesus endured.  It is an account of Jesus earthly death.  A little less than beautiful....
  Jesus life.  Humble.  By earthly standards, difficult.  He's been there.  He knows what its like to be hated for something He didn't do.  He's been gossiped about...He's been slandered.  He's been "without" (by earthly standards).  He was considered monetarily poor.  He had a step dad.  He didn't have the "latest and greatest".  He's been humiliated in the worst possible way.  He's been betrayed.   He's endured.  He's been there.  He knows and He understands.
  Jesus endured so He could wrap His arms around you.  He endured so He could walk in the shoes you walk in.  He understands everything you will go through in this life.  HE'S BEEN THERE.  There's nothing you will endure in life that Jesus didn't also endure.  And....because he was resurrected, He is now alive to walk through it with you.  He provides strength and understanding and a way through every difficulty.
  So, why do I sweat the small stuff?  My kids don't wear Gap....so what, neither did Jesus.  I heard someone gossip my name.....ya, it happened to Jesus too.  I live in a little house (which I do in fact like)......but Jesus was born in a cave.   It's good knowing my Savior has "been there" and knows exactly what it feels like to be me.  He's gone before me....created me.....and he's saved me.  What else could I ask for?

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

"No Room!"

  I sat down this morning with my kids for Bible time.  We've just begun the book of Luke...and Jesus is being born.  My kids enjoy this story...it usually means Christmas is coming soon...:)  Anyway...Mary and Joseph have just arrived at Bethlehem and are looking for a place to stay.  To no avail....there are no vacancies....NO ROOM for a little pregnant girl and her husband.  Despite her obvious discomfort and large tummy every inn keeper in Bethlehem turns them away.  No Room!  No Room!
  There was something that hit me while reading this.  Jesus has to get tired of hearing, "No Room!"....how many times have I uttered that...well, thought that.  How many times have I set my prayer time aside because there was "No Room" in my schedule.  How many people through the years have put Jesus off...some for eternity...because they had "No room" for Him in their lives.   It's funny...ironic is a better term...how Jesus life started out in a cave because there was "No Room" in the inn....and how He's spent all of His existence with people trying to show them there IS room.....and the denial of making room will lead to eternal vacancy......wow! 

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