Welcoming 2008!

May God make your year a happy one!

Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;

Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;

Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;

Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;

Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes
need you most, and by making you anxious
to be there to help.

God's love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.

(Author Unknown)

Nesting mugs and plates

Out of the plethora of catalogs I received during the Christmas shopping season, a new one caught my eye. It was called Acacia, and the definition was given on the inside cover... Acacia (a-kay-sha) A sheltering tree and a source of healing materials and essential oils.

"Acacia provides distinctive, nature-oriented products to enhance customers' enjoyment of their surroundings, and to improve their appearance and well-being. We cater to customers seeking quality products that focus on physical and spiritual well-being, fitness, and natural decor."

The entire feel of the catalog was different, and when I turned it over there was the note: "This catalog was printed in the USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 20% post consumer waste. As a result, we were able to save the following resources... Trees 355/ Water 110,880 gallons/Energy 196 Mil BTU/Solid Waste 28,875 pounds/Co2 68,145 pounds." Well now, that's impressive!

It was full of all sorts of neat things to enhance the body, spirit, and home. As I flipped through it, I saw the beautiful set of nesting mugs and plates above and knew I had to order them. I kept one and gave away three sets for Christmas. They are simply beautiful. Sometimes I think my coffee in the morning tastes even better since my hand embraces a beautiful birdhouse and a wren. Body. Mind. Spirit. Home. Exactly where I want my focus this coming year.

Wrapping up another year

I can't even believe it's the end of yet another year and that it's been almost two years ago that I posted this very first entry on 1/2/06....

"I never, ever imagined I would be bitten by the blog bug, but here I am. I have enjoyed other's blogs for so long now, and often entertained the idea, but wasn't sure I had very much to say. Here it is, 2006, and one of my goals for this year was to do new things, put myself out there, be engaged. Funny how the world can just pass you by if you are not watching, listening, jumping in and contributing something. There is no telling what will end up on this page, but at least it's now out there. Buckling my seat belt..."

We're coming up on 2008, an even year. Call it superstition, or whatever, but even years are just better years for us. Seems like bad things always happen to us in odd numbered years. So, it will be a wonderful year! My spirit already feels lighter in anticipation of things settling down once again. This past year has been full of drama and so a quiet, happy year sounds like just the ticket.

We'll probably be lightweights in terms of being awake to welcome the new year. I just can't seem to stay up that late anymore. My head will be on my pillow and I'll have a grin on my face as I awake so ready to have a fresh start. Do you have big plans to bring in the New Year?

Husband's goldfinch capture

My sweet husband has been home all week this week with Sam, and yesterday found himself picking up the camera (which he used to use quite a bit before I sort of took over ownership...lol) to aim it on some Goldfinch he saw at the feeder just outside the kitchen window. I've turned him into a fairly interested birder at times, though he might not admit it. He was quite proud of the shots he captured, and so, without further ado, here they are for your viewing pleasure.... just beautifully framed. I am so proud of him! He'll soon be a card carrying member of the Chickadee Birdwatchers Club!

Coming home

At any given time in the past few days, I'll look out and see not one, not two, not three, but even up to four bluebirds at my feeders together! Most of the time, they are all at this four way cup feeder. Seeing as how we had 13 beauties fledge our first season on Chickadee, I can't help but wonder how many are coming back to visit and possibly nest in the coming spring.

Oh my Bird!

Oh. My. Goodness. I first heard about this book from Liza over at The Egret's Nest and knew then that it sounded lovely, and so it was immediately added to my wish list. Since it was back in November, I sort of forgot about it, and was utterly thrilled when I opened one of my gifts at our family Christmas gathering.

I spent a good portion of the day yesterday ogling it's glossy, color-filled pages and turning to each new section with reverence reserved for somewhat holier books... it's a true feast for the eyes. One of the most beautiful and best Christmas gifts ever. Thanks to my wonderful parents!

A very Merry Christmas to everyone

(Stained glass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wyandotte, Michigan)

Our Advent IV/Bach cantata service was a lovely success,
and was truly beautiful beyond measure.
A fitting tribute to celebrate His birth.

A very Merry Christmas to all of you.
May your hearts be full of love and joy.

Magical music day

"For unto us a Child is born, a cantata for the first day of the Christmas Festival, was composed at Weimar, probably in 1712 or 1713 with a text by Erdmann Neumeister. It is scored for alto, tenor and bass soloists, a full choir, two recorders, two oboes, first and second violins, viola and continuo. It is a joyful cantata, composed in a musical environment which Bach found pleasant and conducive. The mood of this cantata is joyful, yet purposeful, its fugal opening setting the tone."


I wish I could describe just how magical a sound was heard at our dress rehearsal yesterday of the Bach Christmas cantata 142. We've been working so hard, but have always practiced with organ and piano. As soon as the symphony musicians started playing, the feel of the piece was entirely different. It was simply mesmerizing. I could have easily just closed my eyes and listened and fully lost track of the singing all together. We had two flutes, two oboes, two violins, a viola, a cello, and the harpsichord to accompany us, and the sound was so indescribable.

I think we are as ready as we can possibly be, and heck, even if we hit a few errant notes, methinks no one will really notice. First performance is at 9AM and then we'll head down the road to the other church to do it again at 11:30. Wish us luck! It's show time!

How cute is this??

This morning, I met my best friend Queen T for breakfast so that we could exchange our Christmas gifts and have some much needed "girl time." Before we left her house, we opened our gifts, and when I looked into my gift bag, this is what I found. Hmmmm... um... well... at first I thought it was a cute cup and saucer for me to use, but then found that the spoon was glued to the saucer, and it had something attached to the bottom.

When I looked inside it, my eyes lit up! Bird seed! Aha! She found this at our hospital craft fair. The bottom white tube is a piece of PVC pipe attachment so that you can put a length of PVC pipe where ever you want to and stick this adorable bird feeder on top of it! What a creative idea! She said, " I was thinking you could put it into a garden pot of flowers and it would make for some incredible bird photos." A gift that is just simply perfect for me! I love it, and I love you Queen T!

Been there... being there

When the phone rang last night, I took a deep breath and walked into the other room to get into a comfortable chair. I knew it was going to be a long conversation. Husband had received a call last week from a former co-worker. "Hey, do you think Jayne would mind talking to a friend in our Bible study group whose son was just diagnosed with autism?" Her name is Laura. She has two other children, and her middle boy, who is now 2 years, 8 months old was given the diagnosis a couple of months ago.

There was a time when I was a touch point and guide for so many people, I can't begin to count them all. It was a time in my life when I was consumed with autism. I was consumed with making it all better, or better yet, eradicating it from our lives all together. I was the pied piper. I was convinced we could make the symptoms abate so that Sam would be indistinguishable from his peers. But, as with many things like this, we maintain the belief because we need to at the time. It's what keeps us focused and sane. It's only when we get years down the road that we run out of steam, stop, and focus on where we truly are in our journey. That stopping place was so hard for me. It happened in 1999. I then spent a good bit of time wondering where I'd failed. I must not have worked long enough or hard enough or else he'd be all better. I never was able to give myself credit for what we had accomplished. Finally after much sadness, there was acceptance (in part due to grace), and we embraced our challenges and I was able to go on with my life. It's just part of my life now. We don't dwell on it, or try and "fix" it. He is who he is. I've done my part. And now I can embrace that my part was huge in terms of where he is and what he has achieved.

But, back to Laura. I knew I was not going to be the very best person she could talk to, but I also knew she needed to hear the truth. This is always going to be a part of their lives. Can they make him better in terms of symptoms and functioning? Sure. Is it ever going to go away? No. I found myself revisiting those days of being desperate to get as much information as I could, and to try whatever might help and not hurt him in terms of treatments. I shared with her openly and honestly. It helped that she is also a nurse. I hope I was able to give her some glimmer of hope that she is indeed lucky to be getting such an early start. He can improve, and make great strides from where he is now, but it will take lots of repetition and hard work. The most important thing I shared was that having autism in your life simply makes you a better person. Infinitely more patient, more giving, more compassionate, and indeed more faith filled. I hope I was able to help her in some small way after our hour and a half conversation. She has my number. I'll be hearing from her again, and I'll be here.

For the die hard fans

Found at CafePress... What can't you find there?
LOL... a girl can dream!

Big Biscuit Barn

On my way to work each day, I have been noticing a new business starting up. I've sat at the red light beside it, and watched the progress on the building's renovation. The sign at the locally owned business said, "Coming Soon! The Big Biscuit Barn." Hmmm... I wondered, what will make their biscuits and breakfasts stand out above all the other options out there? Truly, in the South, biscuits are almost a religious experience. Most are made fresh from scratch and are eaten with true glee and dripping with butter.

Well, this week was the grand opening! And, in good Southern fashion here in the Bible belt, with much fanfare, the Big Biscuit Barn had it's opening day on Monday, and the sign in the front proudly proclaimed:

PRAISE THE LORD!
EAT A BISCUIT!

I giggled all the way to work and smiled all day long. Only in the South, only in the South....

Zick dough mania

I finally made some Zick Dough suet and put it out in one of the feeder cups. It took no time at all before the female bluebird was eating it to beat the band. She looked up as if to say, "Hey now, I don't recall your offering this yummy treat before!" Moments later, her husband caught onto the goodness in the cup. Soon other birds were checking it out as well. The Pine Warbler and Wren were next in line.

It was really quite easy to do. Just follow the recipe:

1 cup lard
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups instant oats
2 cups yellow corn meal
1 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar

Simply melt the lard and peanut butter together over low heat. Once smooth, remove from heat and add the dry ingredients. It's easier to just use your hands as mixing that much with a spoon is rather challenging. I also doubled the recipe. Once it was all mixed, I spread it out onto a cookie sheet and popped it into the frig to cool. After a couple of hours, I cut in into chunky squares and threw it into gallon sized bags. Easy breezy, and LOTS of dough to offer some very appreciative birds! Thanks Julie!

Seven random facts

I've been tagged by Pam at Nature Woman to play, and so I am sure you all will be enthralled by seven random facts in my mind as I compose this post.

The rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

On to the very random facts:

1. I made my very first batch of Zick dough Sunday, and realized halfway in why Julie recommends just slopping your hands in the mix. Stirring in that much dry stuff in is rather difficult (and painful to the forearm) with a spoon.

2. The first taker was my female Bluebird! Photos forthcoming!

3. I got to see an old high school friend (her mom attends church with me) whom I so enjoy seeing and who is so easy for me to talk to. I am wondering why we don't make an effort stay in touch more regularly.

4. I have a bag in my laundry room, and am saving all my dryer lint to put out in the spring for nesting material.

5. I have all my Christmas gifts purchased, but haven't wrapped nary a one. Think I'd better do that tonight.

6. It was spitting... cross my heart.... snow... Sunday morning. Huh, and there are people who don't think it snows in Georgia. (OK, so it was only some flurries.)

7. I have lard on my sweatshirt. Lard is nasty stuff. It came in a 4 lb. tub and was only $4. I kept contemplating just how much cholesterol might be contained within that tub as it melted into the peanut butter. Dying in a vat of lard would be a horrid way to go, yes sir.
-----------------

I am supposed to tag 7 people, but so many are playing, that I'll just make the blanket statement that I am tagging anyone who has not been tagged. Are there even seven of you???

Table for two

"So, do you come here often?"

Fluffed out in the cold

I looked out this morning and saw him sitting quietly
in the mulch under the swing, his raspberry feathers all fluffed
out as he tried to stay warm in the cold. A very sweet sight.

After several minutes, he flew to the bird bath to get a drink and
probably contemplate a good place to roost when the
high temps are in the 40's tomorrow.

I am so happy the Purple Finches have decided to
stay here for the winter.

You have to admit....

This is WAAAAY cool! Amazon.com has introduced their wireless reader, Kindle, and this little gizmo is really neat! It can download hundreds of books, magazines, blogs, etc. at the simple touch of a button.

You can take it anywhere and visit the Kindle store, just like you'd be browsing on Amazon, and even read the first chapter of a book before you purchase it. You can bookmark pages, change font size, and even search out words or things you have questions about.

It's already sold out on Amazon, so Santa may have to put in a rain check for my birthday. Hint, hint hubby? :c)

For the bluebird lovers

A universal truth

Conversation yesterday morning over coffee:

Me: "I am GOING to clean our bathroom when I get home today."
Husband: "Don't tease me like that." (said grinning)

So, here for your viewing pleasure, is our very CLEAN bathroom yesterday, because....
Say it with me ladies...

"It won't be clean later today!"
(Sigh...can't you guys just not use it for a day or two?)

Double take

I "thought" I saw a Hairy Woodpecker before I went to get my camera, yet when I got back outside and looked more closely, I saw it was a female Downy. Is the biggest giveaway the size of the beak? The one I saw before this one just looked "different" in several ways
and so I was so sure it was my first Hairy. Man, but they look so much the same!

Another red belly

He came down for a bit to check out the suet feeder,
but obviously found something much more to his
liking in the pine tree!

Red-bellied speedster

Boy, it was harder to get a good shot of the Red-bellied Nuthatch than I thought it might be! He would swoop in, grab a seed, and take off like a streak. But, finally, he landed in the cup feeder and was looking over the sunflower chips to find one to his liking when I got this photo. But this time, it was not his fault he left quickly. Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird decided to visit, and so off he fled to wait in the tree until they were done snacking! I love this photo of him in flight, and am thrilled to finally have him at my feeders!

Pishing for yellow!

...Oh, please do click on me to see how pretty I am... :c)

The feeders were yet almost empty again yesterday when I got home and so I trudged out with buckets in hand to fill them all up. As I was filling them, several birds came swooping in to eat, only to see....oops.... that woman is standing right there, and so they diverted back to the safety of the trees. One of those birds was... oh yeah.... a Red-breasted Nuthatch, which I had not yet seen at my feeders! I hope to get a decent photo sometime today! Anyhow, once I got them filled, it was as if the skies opened up birds and they started coming in from everywhere! A male bluebird on top of the finial was pishing (thanks Monarch!) to beat the band, and so all the others came and joined in as they checked out the now full feeders. I ran in to get my camera and got some fairly nice shots, including this pretty, pretty splash of yellow. Within only a few minutes, I saw the Bluebirds, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, several Brown-headed nuthatches, a Carolina Wren, a female Purple Finch, numerous Chickadees, probably five Tufted Titmice, a White-breasted Nuthatch, a Downy Woodpecker, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, and this beautiful Pine Warbler!

Christmas Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Actually both, depending on the gift?

2. Real tree or artificial?
Real trees are too expensive and cut too early most times to survive
until Christmas, and so we have the pretty fake tree.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving, but it was just
too darn early this year, and well, so you know,
it just got put up this week.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Typically the day or so after Christmas, but this year,
I may just leave it up for the twelve days
of Christmas since we got it up later.

5. Favorite gift received as a child?
Hmmm... probably the Barbie House that opened up
and had three rooms. Boy, we pretended
the hours away with that one gift.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Hands down, my dad.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My sissy or my mom.

9. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
A bizarre pottery thingy from my ex-sis-in-law
which was green and had a very ugly dragonfly on it.
I never was sure exactly what it was!

10. Mail or email Christmas card?
Mail, usually with a family photo, but this year, may just be the card.

11. Favorite Christmas Movie?
A Charlie Brown Christmas Story

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually late November, never before.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes, some smoked salmon.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Before we open presents at my parent's house,
we have a traditional snack of her wonderful cocktail meatballs,
rolls, boiled shrimp, cheeseballs, Chex mix,
and these wonderful sausage cheese toast creations.

15. Lights on the tree?
Used to be colored, but now white.

16. Favorite Christmas song?
Probably O Holy Night... just always beautiful.

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home now that everyone is here!

18. Can you name Santa’s reindeer?
Now there's Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen..
Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blizten...
and the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph....
funny, but at Starbucks Wednesday night, they told hubbby
he could have a free shot of espresso if he could name them all.
He drew an immediate blank, but Sam bailed him out fast!

19. Angel on top or a star?
A pretty angel I've had for years now.

20. What do you leave out for Santa?
Sorry big guy, but you need to cut back.

Now, it's really official

Now it's fully official! Last night we made our traditional trek up to Rock City where during the holiday season, they transform the gardens into the "Enchanted Garden of Lights." We've been going there for the past 14 years that they've been doing it, and it's a favorite holiday tradition for Sam. It's just not Christmas until we've gone up to Lookout Mountain and walked along the rock paths oooing and ahhhing at all the beautiful lights.


Each year, they seem to add a feature or two, and so we keep our eyes peeled to see if we can spot what is new. We enjoyed some fresh made kettle corn, and Sam was in heaven eating "cinnamon bread" made like a pizza and cut into slices. It smelled yummy! Along the trail, there are several gift tents set up, and so of course, we had to purchase a small "See Rock City" birdhouse ornament for the tree.

In years past, Rock City used to pay farmers to paint their barns to be advertisement for the garden, hence a Southern institution was born. There are still some barns left which sport the logo and some were also painted the bright red color you see here.

It was quite nippy up there on the mountain, and so some Starbucks coffee was a welcome treat on the way out. We are so in the Christmas spirit now!

Decking the tree

The tree is finally up!
A simpler version than years past,
but the simplicity is just as pretty.
"Oh, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

Measuring the days

Keeping up with making sure the feeders are full has become a challenge these days. The birds on Chickadee have been eating like crazy. That thistle feeder holds 3.5 pounds of seed and they are emptying it every third day or so! Priced thistle lately? Ouch. Can I stop feeding them though? Is there a price on the joy it brings me to look out and see so many happy visitors at my feeders? Sort of like the Mastercard commercial.... priceless.

The days just seem to be flying by this month. Ordinarily, I would have inside and outside decorations up, but this year it's been hard. Maybe because Thanksgiving was so early and we needed to wait a week or so afterwards, or maybe because the weather has been so very mild that it does not feel like it's time to prepare for Christmas. Whatever the reason, I am thinking that before I know it, Christmas will be upon me. I am not prepared, but the feeders are full. Priorities people, priorities. :c)

Doing Mr. Bach proud

Yesterday was just exhausting. I went to church, and then from 12:30-2:30 we practiced the upcoming service of the Bach Christmas Cantata 142- For unto us a child is born. We've been practicing this music since, oh... July? It seemed odd singing it in July, but boy am I glad we did.

Because our choir group is small, we are joining with another area church to make our voices 25 strong. The catch is that we are doing the service at our church at 9AM on 12/23 and then we'll skedaddle over to their church to do it again at 11:30. Ack! We will be accompanied by six members of the area symphony orchestra as well. It will be so very beautiful, but it's a LOT of singing. The opening hymn is O little town of Bethlehem which is an arrangement by our organist, and has a descant for verse 5 (a very high descant, I might add). The hymn of praise is Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding, which has a descant for verses 2 and 5. The offertory hymn is Angels we have heard on high, and you know about those rolling "Glorias" at the end! Then, there is 20 minutes for the cantata itself (it will take the place of a sermon that day). There are three solos within it, so we (excluding those brave soloists) will get to rest at least some during that singing time. The Sanctus we are using during the Great Thanksgiving also has a descant. Finally, we will close with Hark the herald angels sing and it also is an arrangement by our organist with some strong "Gloria!" at the end and an "In excelsis deo" crescendo. Whew. Just writing all that makes me tired and we'll do it twice that day.

It's been both exciting and humbling to be a part of a offering like this. I was so intimidated initially, but as time has gone on, I find I can almost call myself a fairly good singer now. I do hope we do Mr. Bach proud. Wish you all could come. It will be a beautiful way to celebrate the season of His birth.

Post-it note

Happy Birthday Nephew!

Happy 13th Birthday Brainiac B!

He adores American Eagle and Hollister (so hip)
and is just the coolest kid I know (well, in addition to his brother).
His smile lights up the room.
His enthusiasm is contagious.
He loves me enough to download Soulja Boy to my phone.
Oh yeah, now I am a rockin' cool aunt, hey?
I love you so much, am so very proud of you
and am so happy you are here.
See you a bit later!
(Got that iPod yet?)