SUNDAY SCRIPTURE~ DEC 23, 2012

Church of the Nativity~ Bethlehem, Israel

Part of the Christmas story is the fact... and tradition... of the Thee Wise Men.

These exotic men of great wealth and wisdom have always intrigued me!

What motivated these men, of great mind and means, to travel such a far distance to look for a King? How did they know? Of what importance was this King to them...

When we unravel tradition and look at the biblical and historical facts... the real life search of the Magi is so much more fascinating than the story most of us know...

SNOWFLAKE CHRISTMAS TREE

The presents are wrapped and finally under the tree.  

This year the Christmas tree is very different from years past! I left all the family ornaments packed away... all the colorful balls and happy garland too.

I have always been captivated by flocked trees, and I wanted to create a snowy tree this year...

This tree was very hard to photograph for some reason... the images don't do it justice.

Lots of snowy picks and white painted branches and snow crusted balls and snowflakes.... and powdered covered nests filled with pinecones and lots of white lights.

The small icy balls were made with inexpensive clear balls that I painted with tacky glue and rolled in Epson salts.

From the bottom of the tree...

To the tippy top... It is decked out in wintery white!

I wrapped the presents under the tree in brown or white paper this year... I used one of the tin snowflakes from the tree to make the snowflake patterns on some of the brown paper.

Brown twine and black and white plaid ribbon were used to tie up each gift. For a splash of Christmas fun a red bow was added here and there...

Greens were tucked into some of the bows... they are not real... that will be our little secret!

I used baskets to corral all the gifts... we are having a big crowd so there are gifts under the tree for everyone...

Even gifts for Scamp... he loves Christmas too!!!

Doesn't he look dapper in his sweater... It has a moose on the back of it!

ALL IS SNOWY AND BRIGHT!

FLUFFING THE GUEST ROOMS

In all the business and bustle of last minute Christmas preparations... take a little break with me and I'll share a spot at StoneGable made to evoke calm and serenity..

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #27

Christmas day is right around the corner!

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to participate in TTT! 

If you aren't inspired enough by now... here are some fabulous entries from last week that should do the trick...

Gwen from BOLD ABODE put together the BLOGGER'S HOLIDAY HEIRLOOM RECIPE COLLECTION. This is an e-book of some of our favorite bloggers and their favorite holiday recipes! A must-see!!! Thanks, Gwen!!!

Look at this Christmas Tree!!! Isn't so so beautiful! Kristen from SOPHIA'S put up a GARDEN INSPIRED TREE this year. WOW, Kristen... this is amazing!

Chalkboard art draws me in! Very time intensive and interesting... and then with a few swipes it is gone! Thank goodness it can be preserved in a photograph. This beautiful CHRISTMAS CHALKBOARD comes to us from Kelly at LILY PAD COTTAGE.

This colorful HOLIDAY DOOR BASKET from Athena at MINERVA'S GARDEN is "Merry and Bright" for sure!!! What a happy welcome!

No, this is not a magazine cover!!! This gorgeous living room belongs to Kimberlee at THE FANCY SHACK. She gave us a CHRISTMAS TOUR. I am so inspired! Thanks, Kimberlee!!!

This LAYERED PEPPERMINT BARK looks so yummy! I have just enough time to make this before Christmas!!! Kimberly at SERENDIPITY REFINED made it for us!

You know (or now you do) I am a pillow lover! Look!!!! This handsome DEER SHLHOUETTE PILLOW comes from Dear Emmerline. This is another must do... my hubby and son would love a pillow with a deer on it!!! It will work wonderfully all winter.

My offering this week is a two-fer! I'm sharing how to make the WORLD'S EASIEST LIVE WREATH... no kidding!  You won't believe how this wreath is made.  

AND.... many people asked how I made the bow... so here is another DYI for making THE CHRISTMAS BOW.

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Now let's see what great TUTORIALS, TIPS AND TIDBITS  you have for us this week!

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MAKING A CHRISTMAS BOW

Bows are like lipstick on a wreath... they make them look bright and prettier!

I had many request to share how I make what I call...

THE CHRISTMAS BOW

It's easy and impressive... I've probably made a thousand... here's how...

THE EASIEST WAY TO MAKE A LIVE WREATH

I am going to show you the EASIEST most amazing way to make a live wreath. You will wonder, "why didn't I think of that"? That's what I thought when I learned this technique at a wreath decorating demo last year.

 You will be able to make gorgeous, lush, full, live wreaths... FABULOUS!!!!

It will revolutionize your Christmas decor and gift giving... OR ... at least make people ooooh and ahhhh!

I made this wreath in under 40 minutes for a gift exchange! 

Here's how...

ON THE MENU MONDAY~ DEC. 17, 2012

Oh, goodness... I'm late!!!!

Late for ON THE MENU MONDAY! 

So so sorry! I have been away visiting and having way too much Christmas fun. 

But, I'm back and ready for another great week of foodie inspiration...

Here's what's ON THE MENU...

MONDAY~ SLOW COOKER DAY

HERBED TOPPED SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW

Tossed Salad With BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

TUESDAY

HOT CHICKEN SALAD

SAUTEED RICE

Roasted Broccoli in Garlic Oil

WEDNESDAY

SALMON ASPARAGUS & BOW TIE PASTA IN SHERRY CREAM

THURSDAY

PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED TILAPIA WITH MANGO SALSA

PANKO CRUSTED POTATO CAKES

Sauteed Spinach

FRIDAY

BLACK BEAN QUESADILLAS

MEXICAN EXPLOSION SALAD

SATURDAY

TUNA MELTS

Chopped Salad

SUNDAY~ SOUP DAY

MINESTRONE SOUP

Here are some scrumptious samples from last week's TTT...

Libby at TWIRL AND TASTE made a yummy BILLION DOLLAR CANDY BAR. I could have one... or five.. right now!!!!

Are you a cookie lover too? Lynn from HAPPIER THAN A PIG IN MUD shared EGGNOG GLAZED SPRITZ COOKIES. What a fabulous combination!!!

I am always looking for another chicken recipe! Nici from Posed Perfection shared this exotic SLOW COOKER BUTTER CHICKEN... and a virtual trip to World Market! Sounds a little like shopping and lunch!

My blogging friend Gail from FAITHFULNESS FARM and I have something in common other than blogging... we eat lo-carb. This PANERA CAULIFLOWER CHEESE SOUP is perfect for all you foodies that like to stay lo-carb!!! I'm making her soup this week!

If you still need a couple of small Christmas gifts or hostess gifts, why not make CHRISMASSY BRANDIED APPLES from BLACK FOX HOMESTEAD. They sound sinful and so sophisticated!

This is a sweet treat that is absolutely irresistible to me! CITRUS STREUSEL DRIZZLE CAKE makes me weak in the knees... and almost all of my willpower flies out the window!!! Run on over to DIMPLES & DELIGHTS to get the recipe for this beautiful cake!

Are you on a sugar high yet? Seems like everyone pulls out such fabulous treats at Christmas... like these darling MERRY CHRISTMAS PRETZELS from Aimee at BARNES AND NOODLES!

NOW WHAT'S ON YOUR MENU...

Thanks, for joining us and sharing!

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SUNDAY SCRIPTURE DEC. 16, 2012

Nazareth, Israel

There once was a very young girl named Mary. She lived in a very small pioneer-like town called Nazareth. It was in an area of Israel called Galilee. During this time all of Israel was occupied by the conquering nation, Rome.

Here is how Nazareth looks today...

Nazareth looked much different then. A few generations before Mary, her ancestors left their home to  occupy a desolate, outpost area of Israel in the region of Galilee.

Many others did the same. One family that left Bethlehem and relocated to Nazareth  was Joseph's family.

There were about 40 family, many relatives, living in the little hillside village of Nazareth at the time Joseph and Mary were espoused (sorta like engaged).

Mary was just an ordinary Jewish girl going about her devout Jewish life... until she got some astounding news!!!

Every Jewish girl during Mary's day probably wondered if she would be the ONE... the one God would choose to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah. They were waiting for God to send them a man that would rule... a king that would make Israel great and free them from oppression. I wounder if Mary ever thought SHE would be the ONE!

Church of the Annuncialion~ Nazareth Israel

One day an angel appeared to Mary... she, of course, was terrified! Who get's visits from angels? Well, Mary did!  The angel told Mary not to be afraid and that he had some news... good new from God.  He called her...

 "favored one".

Gabriel, the angel, told Mary that she would have God's son... but not just any ordinary Jewish son!

Inside the Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth Israel

Here is what the angel said, " And behold you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus,

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David (King):

and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever; and His kingdom will have no end." Luke 1:31-33

Amazing news! The long awaited King was finally coming to Israel... and Mary was to be His mother.

There was one problem... Mary was a virgin.

She asked "how can this be?'. 

The angel told Mary her virginity would stay intact and that this would be a conception brought on by the Holy Spirit... a miracle!  "For", the angel declared, "nothing is impossible with God".

Upper level inside the Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth Israel


And Mary, this sweet ordinary Jewish girl, had extraordinary faith! In belief she replied that she was a servant to God's will and however God wanted to use her she was willing.

Here are her exact words... they bring tears to my eyes every time I read them...

"Behold, the bondservant of the Lord; be it done to me according to Your word".

Worshipers in the lower level of the Church of the Annunciation~ behind the alter are the ruins of Mary's Nazareth home


As we read over this scripture we can skip the rich meaning of these verses.  In Mary's day... and deeply religious society she lived in... pregnancy before wedlock was a capital offense. I woman's purity was held in such high regard... because it was held in high regard by God!

 Mary was found espoused and pregnant.  Joseph at first thought the worst and was going to "have her put away" a way of saying he would not marry her. It was a huge disgrace and Joseph was a righteous man.

But an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him that marrying Mary was right... and that the child she was carrying was the Son Of God!

Mary's Nazareth home and probable sight of Gabriel's visit and good news


Joseph decided that he would marry Mary. But Joseph had a problem too! Now the worst was thought of him... he was also greatly disgraced and scorned by all in Nazareth because the natural conclusion was Mary's baby was his.

The bible tells us little about the personal life of Mary and Joseph, but this one story speaks volumes! The young couple started out their lives together disgraced and with a bad reputation. Probably shunned and feeling very alone! They were marked as unclean and unrighteous. Not a very good way to start life together in a small town!


 But their steadfast love for God and their devotion to the baby Mary was carrying is a testimony to their character. Character is usually shown in the face of adversity!

When I read the Annunciation story in Luke chapter one I always remind myself of the real life struggles of this young couple as they chose to obey God.

When we choose to obey God and be a bondservant we must walk in faith, like Mary, no matter what comes... even when bad thing happen to us!

Laced all through God's word are promises of protection, working things out for good ,not giving us more than we can bear, of Jesus being with us.... and on and on! No matter what, we must always trust, believe and obey God... just like Mary and Joseph.


And if we do... hopefully we will also be called... "favored one"!

PAPERWHITES IN THE KITCHEN

This year StoneGable is decorated with lots of "naturals".

The antique tool caddy that sits on my the island is filled with lots of organics... but the star of this arrangement are the paperwhites...

I planted them in individual mason jars and lined them up in the back of the caddy.

You can ready how I planted them by clicking HERE.

When they bloomed I staked them up with painted branches tied up with black and white plaid ribbon.

The twiggy branches make the paperwhites look wintery! 

These little blooms are so so fragrant!

In front of the paperwhited I lined up Lemon Cedars and Sugar Pinecones. I have repeated these elements in my decor this year!

I got the Lemon Cedars at a local greenhouse for $3.99 a pot. They are hardy and have held up very well indoors. I would love to plant them out in the yard in the spring!

I like them much better than Poinsettias!

I really like the way the cedars and pinecones line up in a row!

Two large chippy pillars flank the paperwhites. Each has a white candle. The candles give off such a warm glow.  

As the paperwhites fade I have new ones to replace them.

Decorating with naturals has been very easy and has brought a feeling of calm to StoneGable during this busy time of year!

I think I'll use naturals again next year... maybe with red tartan!