“And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”
Luke 1:34-35 ESV
We hope your December is off to a bright start. Ours certainly is, bright and busy. But, isn’t that the way it is supposed to be between Thanksgiving and Christmas? This thought just occurred to me…I very much need to be thankful that I am able to be busy! But then again, should I not slow down, pause, and really allow my focus to be on Jesus and why He came?
Before we launch head on into Christmas and winter I wanted to give autumn one more small nod, mainly because this combination offers a touch of red and green…kinda! Our Bloodgood Maples really hang on to their leaves.
I mentioned this in a recent post…I couldn’t officially scrap the nutcrackers because WL was very concerned when he saw them placed behind the garage ready for the garbage heap. If you don’t look closely they might appear to be in fair condition. I decided to keep them around until after Christmas so WL wouldn’t be upset. I thought a final photo would be nice since we’ve had them so long (over 20 years). I decided to turn them slightly so there would be no shadows on the faces, but…
…moving them one more time turned out to be one time too many!
I had to find a way to still make the nutcrackers relevant for this Christmas season, something that would perhaps make WL feel OK about what had happened! It’s not a reindeer, but I hope close enough!
Visitors came over for a fun time on Friday. I decided to go ahead and break the news about the broken nutcracker and how he was very much into the season and riding a deer. But then, of course, everyone wants to see how a nutcracker rides a deer. Who wouldn’t! Having the entire crew there, and making it a fun thing, took the pain completely away. It’s going to be OK! Daniel and PJ were not concerned enough to be out in the cold and weren’t bothered in the least either way!
I have a long green alley out behind the Sunshine Cottage that real deer are now finding to their liking. The acorn crop is so tremendous this year that I am surprised deer are needing to munch on anything else. Acorns are a favorite, but I guess, like us, deer love variety in their diet!
I dropped back in to Christmas on the Coosa just before dark one evening. Everything was open, but I arrived before many people had gathered to ice skate and enjoy the food and other fun things. I did take advantage of the opportunity to take a few photos without the crowd. And, I was back home before 5:30!
This tree is gigantic. Last year the light display was constantly changing and had many colors and color schemes. This was my first time to see it lit this season, and it remained solid with white lights the entire time I was there. Honestly, I prefer to see it this way, seems more traditional to me. Pam agrees!
The Grinch was on the ice warming up, preparing to have fun with families and kids and I was given a special greeting. I don’t think this Grinch will steal any part of Christmas! Maybe we can return one night with the grands and see how things are going!
Moving on to a very different subject, I had to make a short trip to Jacksonville State University on Wednesday. This is one of the main routes to a major university and I’ve traveled it many times. I have to wonder, why, even after all these years, this railroad overpass remains this narrow? Definitely a well traveled State Route where courtesy and caution is needed when approaching this spot. It is really more narrow than it appears. I just stopped and waited! I guess it’s a tradition, a relic, a real time active museum piece.
Pam noted an odd look in the garden on the coral bark maple. The tree is completely bare and has been for days now except for 2 clusters of leaves that remain. These leaves not only remain, but retain beautiful autumn colors. They’ve not even turned brown like all the others leaves did prior to dropping off! I considered retrieving a pumpkin from the graveyard and placing it beneath the tree in the foreground. I had to let that thought go, it was time to move on!
Standing in the same spot where I was observing the coral bark maple a 90 degree turn to face east presents an entirely different theme and brings an entirely different thought. For several years I have gone into our woods and intentionally picked out a very scraggly eastern red cedar to place on the patio as my version of a ‘Charlie Brown’ tree. Decorated with colored lights, all us kids always loved it. Every season, and usually several times during the Christmas season, a problem arose. Strong wind toppled the tree, regardless of how I attempted to anchor it. This December I allowed wisdom to overrule tradition and placed the lights on a permanent tree in the garden. And by the way, the “cold” full super moon had risen behind the lighted ginkgo!
I hurriedly ventured beyond the trees and into the pasture to get another view of the December full moon, rising in the east.
Then I made another turn, while standing in the same spot from observing the moon, this time 180 degrees to view a stunning December afternoon sky. Light came to a dark world just over two thousand years ago. Have you seen the light?
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
I really hope that you can find a way to repair the nutcrackers, I look forward to seeing them every holiday season. It was so nice to see Pam recently, please give her my love. Gina
Thank you Gina. I’ve repaired the nutcrackers a couple of times but this time I think it’s beyond me. Pam told me y’all had talked recently, unfortunately it’s the funeral home or a funeral that brings us together at times. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning, Butch and Pam! Your grandbabies are precious! The Christmas lighs you shared are so pretty. The December sunset photos are absolutely stunning! I always gaze in amazement of God’s handiwork. December sunsets are some of the most beautiful. May you both have a wonderful Sunday and week ahead!
Thank you Shannon. We are having so many very overcast days that catching one of those December sunsets has been a challenge. Not snowing here but cold and cloudy today, snowy looking anyway. Creation is truly amazing. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Every photo is making me smile, especially the kids and the Grinch! You are so right about being thankful to be able to be busy. I’m sidelined more than I’d like right now and it’s no fun! Too much I want to do. Ah well. I’m delighted to live vicariously through your holidays!
Thank you Jeanie. Sorry you are sidelined and hope you can get off the sidelines soon. The surgeon scheduled my knee replacement for early January and I too will be sidelined. I know I need it but dread it. We wish you a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning. Love seeing the grands looking at the nutcracker riding the deer. Those nutcrackers are fabulous but they have had a good long life and have seen many Christmas’s. Have a great week and yes busy is good. It means we are blessed. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. I think you’re right, busy means blessing. The ole nutcrackers have been with us a while but it’s probably retirement time. They’ve been called out of retirement once before though. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
The full moon this month was huge and magnificent! Downtown is so festive. I love the huge Christmas tree! The grinch looks pretty happy! I also like your patio tree. I’m sure it’s beautiful lit up at night. It’s well shaped. I’m so happy WL is okay with the nutcrackers leaving home. The kids looked like they enjoyed seeing him on the deer form. It does appear it’s time! Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. I don’t remember the details but I read something about this full moon that said it wouldn’t occur the same way again until 2042. Don’t remember what that particular was but don’t figure I need to mark my calendar for that one. I do think the kids are ok about the nutcrackers, not sure about Pam. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch, Fantastic light display for Christmas on the Coosa! It looks like a fun time for all with ice skating and the Grinch. Beautiful sunrise photos too. I feel so badly for poor Mr. Nutcracker…surely there’s a way to repair him, maybe with a decorative belt to cover any glue or repairs? At least the grands aren’t too distressed…cute photo of them. Wishing you a merry week! 🎄❤️
Thank you Mary. I was thinking on ways to use part/pieces of the nutcrackers in some creative way to make a new and unique one of a kind decoration. Maybe I can come up with some idea so all isn’t lost. I think Pam has finally become reconciled to the fact that it’s nutcracker retirement time. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Oh no. Your nut cracker cracked
Ha, thank you Gail. A big crack indeed. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I love that the Nutcracker is riding a rain deer! Very clever indeed.
Blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. Have to be creative to entertain the little ones but then again something simple can be exciting to them. I suppose simple and silly. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Pam, as you say goodbye to your ‘festive friends’ may you cherish the memories, they provided you and your family and friends. I agree it is hard to say goodbye to the delightful fall colors, but the glow of the upcoming holidays lights and celebration will soon take their place. The grands are adorable!
Thank you Mary. We seem to squeeze every drop we can out of autumn but the holiday festivities and colors are taking center stage. A lot of memories are created relating to the holidays through the years. For this we are grateful. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Hi Folks!
Your moon shots are fantastic. I always enjoy seeing a full moon. I enjoyed seeing those Christmas trees all lit up as well.
The nutcrackers have been loved for many years, but we understand they can’t be repaired anymore. The one riding on the deer is too cute.
Your sunsets are gorgeous!
God sure knows how to paint the skies.
Thanks for letting us enjoy your Everyday Living along with you.
Merry Sunday!
Thank you Nancy. The following night when the moon was officially full was all cloudy for us so I was glad that I happened to have a break in the clouds the day before. Maybe I can figure some way to do something with the nutcrackers but as of yet haven’t had a bright idea. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
What a fun post! But what a weird road, surely the state would “fix”it? And so dangerous at night. On Thursday night the moon was so large it was weird also. Lights inside the house were not needed. Now I understand that in heaven there will not be a need for light because God is light. I love no more dark long night! The story of the end of the two nutcrackers made me laugh. You are a fun grandfather to think of a way to keep WL from missing them. Maybe the grinch stole Christmas somewhere but not at your house nor mine. Christmas is everywhere. It is a glorious season and our church is not allowing anyone to forget why we celebrate this time of year with Its not the end of the story. Merry Christmas everyone❣️
Thank you Alice. It’s so wonderful that we have details and can celebrate the Light coming to us during this Advent season. And anticipating His return is quite exciting as well. No, the Grinch won’t have any success around here. So far everyone has settled in their minds the nutcrackers have retired and everyone is moving on. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
How darling your grandchildren are with the nutcracker on the deer! Oooh at that gigantic lit up Christmas tree is outstanding as are your sunset views of God’s magnificence! Happy second week of Advent.
Thank you Kitty. We’ve not seen the sun much over these past days but I think we might mid-week. I’m thinking we need to check out the big tree again to see if the lights are still white or have taken on a color scheme. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Butch, sorry to be so late in commenting! It’s been crazy busy around here, but I am like you and very thankful to be able! This time last year I was recovering from that back surgery, and I am thrilled to be active again. You are so creative with Mr. Nutcracker, and I’m glad Will is ok. They had a good life. We haven’t seen in the sun in days, and it’s cold here. The sun came out long enough for me to dig out my sunglasses while driving yesterday.
Thank you Roxanne. We had some sun today and it was good to see. It just gives me a little pick me up when the sun returns after a lot of cloudy days. Glad you are able to be active for sure. Still wondering if something from one of the nutcrackers can be salvaged and repurposed, we shall see. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I am glad I stopped by! Your post made me smile! Adorable Grands! Hugs and blessings. Best wishes dear friends.
Thank you Maristella. We too are very glad you stopped by. We hope all is going well for you. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I so admire the welcoming spirit of your hometown in the its festive Christmas
settings, the Grinch rink and the promise of good family fun…just awesome.
You so beautifully captured God’s glory in those winter full moon photos. The
Nutcrackers are like family to us and you did all a favor by retreading them
instead of retiring them just yet…even the Grands heartily approve. Many of us
are sharing your frigid temps and look forward to a warming later this week.
The best to all in getting their holiday show on the road and in spreading that
cheer that warms the heart.
Thank you Mary. We are hoping to wind down the decorating and take time to enjoy the season and celebrate accordingly, being mindful of Christ and why He came. Yes, it is time to get the show on the road. We have a birthday this week too as our only son turns ## on the 11th. Busy week but blessed to be able. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
So thankful to say that yes! I have seen the light! I am so thankful He came to save us. Your outside Christmas tree is so pretty with the moon over it! God bless you all this Christmas season!
Thank you Cheryl. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas season as well. You are so right, we were in darkness but the Light has come to save. A lot to be thankful for. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam