“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:7 ESV
It was a frosty morning on Friday, but I sensed that the eastern sky before sunrise would awaken my senses enough to help me endure the morning chill. I had walked quite a ways which also warmed me. I was thinking however about the English muffins and fig preserves that awaited me back at the house. I almost headed home but decided to be patient and give the sun a few more minutes!
I was glad I waited. Turkeys that roost nearby began flying down, some doing their famous cackling. The winter solstice is only a few days away and the sun is very much in the southern sky now. (The muffins were still available and as good as ever.)
Today our temps will remain in the 30’s with teens tonight. But on Thursday (Dec. 11) the pansies and snapdragons were boldly making a warm statement, showing no concern for the forecast! Perhaps this can warm you a little if you are experiencing a cold day.
I couldn’t help but show this, also last Thursday. We were a few miles south of home but really not that far. Our ginkgoes have been bare for weeks now and this one is just now showing all its autumn glory.
I retrieved a small top section of a discarded Christmas tree and came up with a stand for it. I wanted a tree exclusively for the little folks, a “grands” tree if you will. They placed a few small decorations that were bought for the tree, but all 3 sat for over an hour, being creative, making their own ornaments, drawing, coloring, and cutting them out, mostly on construction paper. EM is sorting out dozens of them that are in a large wooden bowl where all were placed until it was time to decorate. They made trees, stars, packages, PJ ornaments, ornaments with all the names of family on them, animals, shepherds, and of course, Jesus in a manger! This was the beginning of the decorating event!
While many more ornaments were being placed on the tree, I managed to locate a favorite…baby Jesus in a manger!
We love the winter garden at night. There’s something to note that turned up in this photo that I had not planned for or even thought about. The constellation Orion is one of the most recognizable in the winter sky where we live, mainly because of three stars that line up, known as Orion’s belt. Take notice of a gap between the bare limbs of the crepe myrtle in the upper right. As the evening progresses these 3 stars will lay across the sky in a more east-west direction. But just after sundown, they appear more up and down. I hope you can find them.
An updated Williamsburg Fan report: no opossum or other critter has tampered with the apples…thus far. Maybe the repellent sprinkled around the door has made a difference!
I am agreeable to a little shopping and traveling to Birmingham if I have the promise of great food. I was happy the shopping was complete and chef was happy for us! I think he sensed I had endured shopping so he put a bit extra on my plate!
One of our starters was fried oysters presented in the shell on a bed of rock salt. The ginger aioli is a favorite of mine. An unusual twist, at least to me, was the addition of mostarda. Mostarda is a northern Italian condiment made of candied fruit and a mustard flavored syrup!
A song we hear this time of year strongly suggests it’s time for mistletoe and holly. I found some nice holly, and I have a good supply of mistletoe at home. Now to trick Pam into unknowingly standing below the mistletoe I have hanging over the door!
This is our version of a white Christmas. A light snow that has almost melted away?? How about a freshly mown cotton field? Hint: Mowers were spotted here Thursday!
With a bit of imagination, one could feel like it is time for a summer vacation. I did notice that someone was out for a December sailing. This part of Weiss Lake is just above the dam and about 8 minutes from our house.
Friday and yesterday were very nice days with mid 60’s on Friday, and a balmy 71 degrees on Saturday afternoon. I decided to visit some places on the lake. A cold blast was due in today so I thought, “why not enjoy the pleasantness as long as possible”! This flag is always flying!
A restaurant on the lake has an outstanding view and folks love to eat on the deck. No need to let cold weather spoil the fun and a number of these domes are ready and waiting. Dining alfresco can continue all winter. Maybe to be exactly true to the definition for those who are experts on outdoor dining, perhaps I should say semi-alfresco?
I dropped by the lake where I always enjoy the fall color of this lone bald cypress and the sunsets from this spot. I was surprised to see that the locals (I assume) decided a bit of seasonal decor was in order this year.
After being greeted by a decorated cypress tree, I made a decision to hang around the area for a few minutes. I’m glad I did. One of my many bad habits is I’m always in a hurry to move on to the next thing. Oftentimes it is good to slow down. Why is waiting so hard?
And it only got better as the December sun was sinking slowly behind Lookout Mountain!
A Blessed Week To You All
“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
Love the kids’ tree! I’ve saved a topper too, ans would be interested in knowing how you fashioned your stand, Butch.
We woke up to 3″ of snow and 22° degrees (feels like 9° with chill), going down to real 9° as the day goes on. Brrrr!
Happy 3rd Sunday of Advent!
Thank you Rita. It’s cold here today but nothing like what you are experiencing. I had saved the stand from the tree the topper came from. I wrapped the stem of the topper with electrical tape to build it up and used a piece of pvc pipe to slip over it so it would fit snug in the tube of the old stand. Still a little wobbly but it’s working. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Thank you Rachel. Sunny here today but quite cold. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning, Folks!
I loved the Grands Tree! It is going to be the best-decorated tree in the family.
Your sunrises and sunsets are fabulous! I love seeing them!
I saw Orion’s belt. How fun was that?
The lake views were pretty. So was the decorated cypress.
I could not figure out what was white on the field, so I will wait patiently for your reply.
Merry Sunday, my friends!
Thank you Nancy. I’m glad you spotted Orion’s Belt. I was very surprised when I discovered that in the photo. The white field was a cotton field that was not planted this year but had perennial cotton pop up all over it. The field had been mowed the day before so what you’re seeing is cotton. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Thanks so much for the information! 🤍
A beautiful and serene look at the beauty of the season. The kids’ tree is so precious. I am reminded of how fast time flies, and know that you will look back on these years and wonder where they went.
Have a blessed day, dear friends.
Thank you Patti. We had a good time with the kid’s tree. Something that was in the trash was repurposed and with about $2 worth of construction paper and a little time became a treasure. Tell Mike hello and have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Awww the kids’ tree is something special! It’s always a pleasure taking in your photos and meanderings in your area. It’s in the 20’s thus morning (feels like 12) in Texas 🥶🥶🥶
Happy week ahead!
Thank you Kitty. We made it to 34 this afternoon and that is a big change from yesterday’s 71. Not nearly as harsh as some folks are experiencing so I’m trying not to complain. We wish you a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
It’s currently 18 degrees and it’s 9:45 a. m. with single digit “feels like” temps. We won’t get above 28 today. We enjoyed the high 60’s for a couple of days. It was marvelous! The kids tree is really cute! What a clever idea! I know the kids really enjoyed it. The Williamsburg fan and pine swag is beautiful! The nature shots are all gorgeous. I would dine semi alfresco if temps were decent. I’m afraid there will be few takers for the next 3 days unless one is really brave! I did find Orion’s belt with your explanation. Thanks! Enjoy these frigid days and dress warmly; we don’t want any frostbite. 🥶 Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. Sounds like a cold one in Tennessee too. I’m surprised I noticed Orion’s Belt in that photo, it would be so easy to miss that without it being pointed out. We have an outing tonight so I guess we will pull out the winter coats that we don’t get to wear very often. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Love the grands and their sweet tree to decorate. The baby Jesus in the manger is quite stunning. Little artist you have. I did see the Orions belt how gorgeous. Oh to have your weather would be so amazing. We are 8 degrees today and a wind chill of 20 below. So glad the sun came up today it does help make it feel a little warmer for us. We will get up to almost 40’s this week. That is cold for you guys but oh so warm feeling for us. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. O my, we don’t envy your weather. 34 is our high today but after reading about your weather and Rita’s in WV we are thankful for our pleasant day. The sunshine does make it feel better. That simple former scrap piece of an old Christmas tree turned out to be a special fun thing. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I can’t believe you still have flowers! How wonderful to see this bright, cheery color. And the grands tree is a brilliant idea. I love it! Merry and Happy to you both this week!
Thank you Jeanie. The flowers do continue to help brighten up the days. The grands can sit and draw for hours it seems, so making things to hang on a tree was perfect for them. We hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I planted Holly Trees a few years ago just so I’d have little snips of them for Christmas decorating! Now, your pansies look so pretty, it’s a reminder to plant them sometime in the future as well. Happy pre-Christmasing!
Thank you Leslie Anne. I wish the holly in the post was on our property but it isn’t. We have a large holly but for some reason ours has good years and bad years as far as berries, this year not so many. I have normally used our tree for those snips but not this season, had to borrow some from my sister. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I was surprised to see the pretty pansies and snapdragons in your garden. It is nice to have some color this time of year. The grands tree is so special. 😊 Reading all the comments about the temperature, I can see why so many people are heading our way to Florida.
Thank you Karen. Seeing the comments about the weather in other places prompted us to not be complaining about ours. Florida weather would definitely be a welcome thing for a lot of folks. We did enjoy the grands tree…such a simple thing can be very special. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Looks like a new tradition begins at your house with the grands own little corner of Christmas delight filled with all their unique touches. It must have been fun to watch the grands creatively sparkle and shine! Cheers to season’s eating and unique sightings! 💖🎄💖🎄💖
Thank you Mary. I suppose I will have to save the former scrap tree as that may have established a tradition, at least as long as there are grands young enough to love drawing and cutting out things. Maybe none of us will grow out of doing such simple yet special things. We say yes to “season’s eating”, good idea. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Butch your sunset/sunrise photos are always stunning. Thanks for sharing. I love your cleverness with the tree topper for the grands and the baby Jesus in the manger is so sweet. I have to admit I am not a very patient person most of the time but when one is rewarded with spectacular views…one always knows it was worth the wait. Our Florida temps are cooler for this time of year (for us locals) but to North people the temps are perfect. I loved seeing the cotton fields looking like snow…and happy the Williamsburg fan is still intact. May I ask what deterrent you used around the door? Thank you for our virtual tour on this Sunday afternoon…now I will turn my attention to NFL football. Go Chiefs! 🥰 🎄✝️
Thank you Kari. I know some things are relative and a matter of perspective, the weather being a good example. I don’t know why I feel like I must always be in a hurry, and it’s worse since I retired. That should’ve made it better. I found a critter repellent at Lowe’s that’s supposed to deter a number of pests. It is granules that sprinkle. Smells a bit like garlic to me. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Greetings! Orion’s Belt looked beautiful through the trees! I went out at 6 AM with the pups to a crisp crescent moon and 55 degrees. By the time I left for church the temps had dropped 14 degrees! But what a beautiful day. The Grands look quite intent with their tree decorating project. What a wonderful idea. I suspect Pam was quite happy to be lured under the mistletoe! Hope you have a wonderful week with lots of new adventures!
Thank you Roxanne. It was already down to 30 at 6 AM here but a sunny afternoon is a feel good thing, even if it is 34. The 3 oldest grands can draw for hours it seems so making ornaments was a natural thing. My job was cutting them out and attaching strings to hang them by and they kept me very busy. I keep relocating the mistletoe to maintain the element of surprise. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Love the opening scripture. Beautiful sunrise and precious pic of grands decorating their tree. I found the three stars Butch, thanks for sharing that. I have to promise a nice dinner out to hubs too to endure a day of shopping.
Enjoy next week, I’m sure it will be colder there than in T-Town…….
Thank you Emily. A little colder here than in T-Town I guess. Glad you found the stars, they weren’t easy to see. The promise of good food makes us guys much more agreeable when it comes to shopping. Hope y’all have an enjoyable week as well!
Butch and Pam
Love your posts about your family and all your interesting topics and pictures. I found the stars! Merry Christmas!
Thank you Donna. Several said they spotted the stars, they weren’t easy to see. We hope you have a great week and Merry Christmas to you!
Butch and Pam
Such beautiful and festive pictures showing all the fun and traditions of the season❣️
I had fun finding the stars and giggled out loud that the mistletoe is being moved about for fun suprises. Such a great start to a joyful week❣️✨️❣️ Thank you❣️
Thank,you Sue. Sometimes the element of surprise is a good thing but one of our little girls told us she didn’t need any mistletoe, she would be kissing us without it. We love it. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I left a message yesterday, but it didn’t post. Will try again now. Love seeing these grands making memories with you and each other. Hands on activities!!! Love it so much!
Happy Holidays, dear friends!
Merry! Merry!
Thank you Sarah and sorry something went wrong with your first attempt. Electronics can be so frustrating. Hands on is fun and also keeps little folks busy while providing relief at times for grandparents. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Pam and Butch, I’m late to visit as I was busy checking off items on my ‘to do’ list yesterday. It’s in the teens this morning so I’m indoors enjoying a little quiet time which is a nice change of pace. Love seeing the grands decorate their tree and including Baby Jesus in the manger…so smart to salvage a topper, the perfect size! Your winter shot of the garden looks magical as does your Williamsburg Fan. You have me craving fried oysters, love the presentation and the mostarda sounds like a tasty addition. Merry Monday and stay warm ♥
Thank you Mary. We are not making as much progress on checking off the to-do list as we would like but running out of time. We hope to get with it tomorrow. It was a cold one today but sunshine made it seem better. Warmer tomorrow so maybe you can get out and find some fried oysters somewhere. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I love the grands Christmas tree Butch! When my daughter’s were little they too used to create decorations which we hung on our tree each year.
I remember as children my sister & I did the same creating paper chains & lanterns to decorate the room & Christmas tree.
Love the sunset & sunrise shots & yes I can see Orion!
Blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. Our grands do all the paper chains etc for their tree at home too. We see Orion in our souther sky in the winter here but I was wondering how that constellation appeared in Australia? At one time many years back I studied in an amateur way the sky and where the stars and constellations were but have forgotten most of it. For fun as a hobby briefly, even had a telescope. I could identify a few things back then, not so much now. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Hubby & I are avid Skywatchers Butch & Pam. We have two Telescopes; one Reflective & one Refractive.
We have just had a Geminid Meteor Shower over this past weekend but alas we had cloud cover & couldn’t see it.
Orion in Summer here rises in the east & appears upside down (the upsidedown Hunter) with his three star belt & his sword pointing to the west alongside the bright star Sirius. 😊
Thank you for the info Jennifer. The upside down hunter, that makes sense. We may need to pull out the old telescope. Our son has a good one I think.
I don’t think I have ever seen such a most precious (precious-est) ornament than the manger with baby Jesus. How absolutely adorable.
I so love reading your newsletter. It always helps level out the craziness of life. What a precious family.
Merry Christmas from our house to yours.
Thank you Mike and Lisa. We do love the new baby in a manger ornament. We will of course save all the newly created ornaments. We have zero room for more stuff but some things you just can’t part with. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
The grandkids will always remember decorating their own Christmas tree. I think I saw Orion’s belt. Not 100% sure. Beautiful sunset.
Thank you Leslie. I’m thinking the little tree I salvaged will have to be stored and become a regular, a tradition, at least until they get too old (or we do). Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I had some trouble commenting yesterday, so I’m going to try again today and hope it goes through.
Beautiful sunrise and sunset photos Butch – and yes, I did see Orion’s belt. Oddly enough, I think we see him better here in the summer than winter, but in our new house there is so much light pollution that it can be hard to see any stars other than the big dipper. Love the grands’ tree – so many special memories. Sorry about the very cold temps there – we had ours last week and the week before (with my car objecting strongly) but today it was +11 C (low fifties F) which is pretty balmy for here lol. I’m so happy that the Williamsburg Fan is intact and how wonderful to have holly and berry for the pickins. Have a great week you two!
Thank you Kim. Sorry there was trouble posting. A couple of others experienced that for some reason. Low 50’s F, that is nice for you. We haven’t reached low fifties in 3 days but I think we will tomorrow. I understand light pollution can be a problem. Fortunately we have space to escape into the dark and get away from most of the light that interferes. Hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Everything is so festive and lovely. I kept decorations minimal again this year, so didn’t put up a tree. But, somewhere in my stash of Christmas decor is a treasured ornament that looks much like your Crayon drawing of baby Jesus in a manger, drawn by my oldest grandchild.
Have a blessed and beautiful Christmas.
So beautiful. Love seeing all of the decorations. The Williamsburg wreath is gorgeous. I am happy to feature your lovely post at Love Your Creativity. Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Linda!
The last photo reminds me of lyrics in the old song, “Angel Band.” I could hear a bluegrass version going through my head. “My latest sun is sinking low…” I think that is how it’s worded. I can’t believe how tall your little grands are getting! The years fly by so fast, and little ones seem to grow when we’re not looking, then all of a sudden, we notice. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! Reading back through your posts makes me miss it. It seemed to fly by so quickly this year!
Thank you Cheryl. We did have a wonderful Christmas and we hope yours was as well. Kids growing up is like the holidays, they come and go before we realize it. Have a great weekend!
Butch and Pam