“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”
Psalms 18:28
To me, this little chapel with its showy lights is symbolic and a reminder of the true Light of the world!
The nutcracker stands guard over the Sunshine Cottage tree. When I was growing up, we always went to the woods nearby and cut a cedar tree for Christmas. It took a lot of walking in the woods to find one that was the right size and shape. I would be on the lookout year round for a tree that might be a good prospect come December. I spotted this cedar several months ago near the house and decided it was perfect for a Charlie Brown tree. Do you have a Christmas tree story or memory?
Lingering autumn leaves actually provided us with some Christmas color this week!
Groundsel bushes (that’s what we call them anyway) are December bloomers and are found along our roadsides and other disturbed areas. A number of heavy frosts and some mid 20’s nights have started taking toll on the blooms but they still have an interesting look and are kinda Christmasy!
The Queen consults with the Princess as they review the images of the ultrasound performed earlier on their mommy. Clearly they are trained and know exactly what to look for to determine if their younger sibling is a sister or brother!
It appears both Dr. EM and Nurse EK are happy to announce IT’S A BOY!
The magnolia fan I make and place over this door is one of those traditions that has been around for better than 25 years. We don’t remember the first year we saw the instructions on how to make it in Southern Living magazine. We could possibly research and find out. Maybe it was my imagination, but everywhere I searched, the quality of fruit available seemed poor as compared to year’s past.
A toss back to December 2014! We clean up fairly nice.
“After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
Matthew 2:9-10
There is a lot of excitement about the “Christmas Star” effect that will occur tomorrow night when Jupiter and Saturn will appear as one star because of their close alignment. It is interesting that this type conjunction has not happened in around 800 years. This event, at the very least, provides us with an interesting topic of conversation and a sense of wonder. God could create a special star-like light and put it in place to guide wise men to Jesus. A one time supernatural happening. He has certainly chosen to do such things throughout history. But we see in scripture that God also uses His natural creation to bring about His plans and purposes. We read of storms, rain, earthquakes, the sun, the moon, and the stars as having a significant role in both past events and in future prophecy! As I mentioned, interesting to say the least!
In a previous post we had noted that we see a lot of male cardinals as they choose to winter here. Since they tend to not pose well for pics, we brought our own inside for a Christmas photo shoot!
Seth helped his Nanny paint quite a few ceramic Santa’s and other figures when he was young. Nanny thought that Santa was a fun idea but she clearly knew who established Christmas. All their figures are put on display around the house every year. Sweet memories!
Merry Merry Merry Christmas and Happy Winter
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Merry Christmas to your sweet family and congratulations on a new grandbaby.
Thank you Nancy and Merry Christmas!
I am so happy for y’all the new baby is a boy!!!! I know everyone is over the moon.
The girls look adorable in their matching outfits.
Merry Christmas to all your family!
Thank you and we are excited to welcome a precious boy to our family in May!
Merry Christmas! A BOY!! How wonderful…I’m sure Seth and Butch are already plotting his first boys’ trip out West. I am so excited about the conjunction. For us to see something that has not occurred since the Middle Ages is mind boggling.
Thank you, Roxanne. It really is something to see, we hope for clear skies!
Welcoming a baby boy will be a great joy for your family, I’m certain. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your family with us readers. It’s always, always a favorite activity of mine each Sunday morning and more. Merry Christmas, Richardsons!
Thank you dearest Rita. Enjoy a Merry Sunday!
What a wonderful Christmas gift you are blessed with this year Pam & Butch, another grand and a baby brother “Prince” for the girls! My heart is so happy for your family! Beautiful photos and thoughts for this Sunday before Christmas, nature always puts on a show, you just have to look! The next few days right before Christmas are always my favorites, enjoy the merry hustle and bustle!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna, we are excited! Enjoy this week, may it be merry and bright! ✨
Good Sunday morning! Goodness that door dressing on Butch’s workshop is wonderful! Those are the cutest images of your granddaughters! How exciting that your going to have a grandson now too! Many blessings to you and wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Thank you Liz. We are excited…Merry Christmas!
Excitement is in the air! I know Butch and Seth are probably already planning a tree house for the Prince. The Queen and Princess are adorable as always. May peace abound this Christmas season and into 2021.
I hadn’t thought about a tree house, but I imagine that will happen? Thank you Bobbie ♥️
We know you are excited about a baby boy! Congratulations! The girls will be happy to have a little one to take care of and fawn over. They’re so cute in their dresses. We’re excited for you! The pics are wonderful. Love the Sunshine Cottage all decked out! The front door is beautiful. Merry Christmas and wishing you a happy, healthy New Year! Clara❤️
Clara, we are so excited about a boy! Thank you for all of your sweet comments, they are always encouraging. Merry Christmas ♥️
Oh, Pam – it is going to be a great New Year. What a Christmas gift your family received, the news of a baby boy! Congratulations! He will be one spoiled little boy, with his two sisters.
Wishing all of you a lovely week ahead, a most beautiful Christmas. and everything good and wonderful in the New Year!❤
Sandra, we are so excited. Wishing you and Michael a most joyous Christmas week and blessings for a safe and happy New Year ♥️
Merry Christmas Pam to you and your family.Congrats on the new addition to your grandchildren.Grandchilden are the best!
Yes, grandchildren are the best. Merry Christmas Della and family!
I simply love the girls dresses and your beautiful front door.
Thank you Rebecca for your sweet comments!
Congratulations on the future arrival of the sweet baby boy! I can imagine with two older sisters that he might be a little spoiled. This is such happy news, and May is a good time to welcome a baby. The girls look so pretty in those beautiful dresses. Merry Christmas, sweet friend, to you and your precious family!
Thank you Shannon. We are definitely excited to welcome a little boy. Merry Christmas dear friend!
Such happiness! Congrats on the new baby! Amazing pictures!Fabulous post…We had a beautiful cedar tree when I was a child and I have sweet memories about it because I live in a tropical country,in one of the hottest cities of it, Rio de Janeiro, but my father had planted lots of cedar trees in our garden,which were uncommon in the neighborhood…So beautiful with coloured lights in it! Merry Christmas! Thank you for sharing wonderful posts and your adorable family!
Maristella, what a beautiful memory you shared about the cedar tree. I was unsure where you lived. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas my friend!
Oh, those sweet little girls! Darling to the max! And that magnolia door is magnificent. Just fabulous in every way. Christmas tree story — probably one of my favorites was introducing a Japanese family to cutting down the tree, decorating and hot cocoa! Lots of big eyes and happy smles!
Thanks for sharing that memory with the Japanese family. I just know that was fun!
Dear friend, The great news is Christmas, the birth of the Child God and the birth of another child who will come to your family in a short time … !! what nice news !!! …
I am very satisfied…
Nice message that you show us in this Christmas post, everything is beautiful, everything is brilliant …
I wish you a great Christmas as a family and in the heart, which is where the purest feelings are kept.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Dolores, gracias por tu dulce mensaje. ¡Estamos emocionados por un bebé! Butch y yo les deseamos una feliz Navidad con su familia. Que sigas mejorando con tu hombro. Amor, Butch y Pam
he comment above is mine … I don’t know how it happened, but it was released before filling in the data
Dolores
Thank you Dolores!
The welcoming of new life is such a sweet gift of hope during trying times and I know the little prince will find love and joy beyond measure within your Family. The girls look so festive and
pert in their holiday attire. HALLELUIA … the exquisite centerpiece has arrived and has literally transformed the dining room into a Christmas tableau. I am so grateful that the hand of fate plucked my name from the many worthy names in the box… what joy the beautifully crafted greenery, bows and candles impart. Merci !!!
Thank you, Mary. I am glad the centerpiece arrived and I know it will be beautiful on your table. Enjoy yours cousins!
I neglected to mention that Butch’s door, a tribute to colonial Williamsburg, is perfection. Beautiful….
Thank you Mary!
Oh, it’s a boy! He will get a work out keeping up with the girls and I’m sure he will Learn first hand how to treat a lady. Growing up it was my sisters job and myself to walk the woods and bring home a cedar tree to decorate. Carrying the ax was a chore and it took us most of the day to fine one we thought worthy of ice sickles And spun glass that mama would put on the tree. We looked for running cedar to bring home to decorate the doors. It hid under the leaves in the woods so was hard to find. Wasn’t it 400 years from Christ birth and the last time God had spoken to mankind? It’s significant that Jupiter and Saturn aline for the first time in 400 years and it being the week we celebrate Christ birth. I won’t miss it if I can help it. I know He tells us to watch for signs. They are everywhere.
We are excited to have a boy! Alice that sounds like hard work for two girls to cut a cedar tree and drag it home. I know the cedar made the house smell wonderful and I can see the icicles and spun glass, I know it was beautiful…sweet memories of childhood. I hope we won’t have cloudy skies tomorrow night.
A baby boy! I am so excited for all of you and love the way the news was presented by the beautiful sisters. Your front door is magnificent! A beautiful Sunday message and photos. Blessings to all.
Thank you dearest Dianne!
A GRANDBABY and a BOY!!! How exciting!
I love how you gave us the news! I love it!
Congratulations to ALL!
We are so excited. Thank you my friend!
Congratulations you two! How wonderful to have a new family member!
I LOVE your door fan and garland – I’ve never seen anything like it, and it’s just gorgeous! The fruit is inspired, especially the pineapple of welcome! I’m going to look into something like this for next year at our house.
I’m also really excited about the conjunction in the skies! Bible history fascinates me, and I’ve always had a soft spot for the journey of the Magi. I hope the effect is visible here in the PNW. When I see it, I’ll be thinking of you and the wonderful friendships we make in this blogging world. 🙂 Take care and Happy Holidays!
Thank you sweet Barbara, we are so excited. The Williamsburg fan is a favorite Christmas decoration. It should be clear for us tonight to see the conjunction of the planets. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!
How exciting Pam! Congratulations! Your quiver is filling 😉
Beautiful photos sweet friend ♥
Jennifer
We are so excited, thank you Jennifer♥️
Congratulations to all .Ella Mae and Emma Kennedy will be wonderful big sisters.
God Bless
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
We are very excited!
Oh, wow! SO happy for you all to be having a new grandbaby, and I can only imagine how excited you must be that it is a boy! Congratulations to all of you!! Lord willing, next Christmas, you will all be holding a new little one. His big sisters will have a real “doll” to play with! God bless all of you. Merry Christmas!
How lovely and congratulations on a grandson to be. He will grow up with two doting older sisters. 😊